The Sands Hotel And Casino in 1959. Sinatra’s preferred venue during his early tenure in Vegas, he recorded the iconic ‘Sinatra At The Sands’ album here
The Sands Hotel And Casino was Sinatra’s preferred venue for many years (it was also where he recorded the classic live album, Sinatra At The Sands, for his own label, Reprise, in 1966), though in 1967 he changed his allegiance and began a long relationship with the newer and more grandiose Caesars Palace, a hotel and casino complex aesthetically inspired by ancient Rome.
Looking at the footage today, we can see that Sinatra, then 62, was in great shape, both physically and vocally. We first glimpse him backstage preparing for the show while comedian Jackie Gayle is out front doing a warm-up act. Suntanned and smartly dressed in a tuxedo, Sinatra – with a glass of Jack Daniel’s in his hand – is laughing and seemingly without a care in the world as he chats happily with some of his entourage and poses for photos.
That same sense of relaxation pervades Sinatra’s performance, reflecting someone who’s self-assured and for whom singing in public is as natural and effortless as breathing. In front of hundreds of people, Sinatra is in his element, combining his gift for making lyrics come alive with a legendary onstage charisma that made women want to be with him and men want to be like him.
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