In this week's Friday Bruce Fix, we mark the passing of "Il Padrone" (The Boss) Frank Sinatra almost exactly 11 years ago today, on May 14, 1998, at the age of 82. Frank's last televised appearance took place November 19, 1995 at a star-studded 80th birthday tribute at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Bruce Springsteen, also "The Boss", was one of the many who performed for Frank that night. Both men are of course from New Jersey, and years later both would be among the first 15 inductees into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Yes, it's true, New Jersey does have a Hall of Fame. Others inducted along with the two Bosses included Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Yogi Berra, Vince Lombardi, Meryl Streep and Malcolm Forbes. The two Bosses are in good company.
I can't think of a way to work that other "Boss", Richard J. Daley, former Mayor of Chicago, into this week's fix (other than to say that I can't think of a way to do it...) although I will point out that if you ever happen to wander into "Boss Bar" next time you're in Chicago, don't expect to see a bunch of Springsteen or Sinatra memorabilia. If you have to ask "Who's The Boss?" when you're in Chicago, then you don't know Chicago.
Our first clip features a brown eyed Jersey Boy singing 'Angel Eyes' to the blue eyed Jersey Boy celebrating his 80th birthday. Ol' Blue Eyes made a pretty decent living singing this and other saloon songs like it. Those other "Jersey Boys", Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, did not sing any saloon songs like this, to the best of my recollection.
Next, the brown eyed Jersey Boy gives us his best Tom Waits cover, 'Jersey Girl', which Bruce began performing on The River Tour. It was first released as the B Side to 'Cover Me' in 1984, and was included in the Live 1975-1985 box set.
And to close the loop on Jersey Boys singing saloon songs, here's how it's done.
Take the rest of the day off. Happy Friday!
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