The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra closes its 2022 Summer Park Series with a tribute to three iconic crooner/ entertainers of the 1950s-80s — Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. on Labor Day weekend.
The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and “Rat Pack” stand-ins will perform 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 3, at Devou Park in Covington; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, September 4, at Tower Park in Fort Thomas; and 7 p.m. Monday, Labor Day, September 5 at Woodside Cemetery & Arboretum in Middletown, Ohio.
The Sinatra-Martin-Davis nostalgic sound still has a universal and multi-generational following due to great songwriters, arrangers, and the trio’s suave and confident delivery, combined with superb comedic timing and amazing voices and talent. Scroll through this 1964 performance.
In 1953, actress Lauren Bacall returned to her Holmby Hills, California, home to find her husband, Humphrey Bogart, with a drunk and disheveled group of friends including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, and others. She dubbed them a “Rat Pack.”
Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra (Photo from KYSO)
After Bogart’s death in 1957, Sinatra became the de facto leader of the gang that would add Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, and others. Though Frank eschewed Bacall’s label, the media kept the Rat Pack monicker alive.
The Pack went on to make the original Ocean’s 11 film in 1960, and the Vegas glitz and glamor portrayed by these singers, actors, and entertainers became synonymous with “The Strip.”
The 1950s and 60s were a heyday for songwriters, arrangers, and singers up until the British Invasion, but the swing and swagger of the Rat Pack sustained a loyal following for another decade and more.
The KSO’s nouveau Rat Pack features three local singer/entertainers that can be heard with groups around town — Dan Radank as Frank Sinatra, Mickey James as Dean Martin and Corey Tucker as Sammy Davis, Jr. — backed by a big band with strings playing many of the original recorded arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Marty Paich and Quincy Jones, along with some adaptations of other originals by long-time KSO arranger and orchestrator Terry LaBolt.
Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, or lawn chairs. Concessions and or food trucks are available at the parks.
For the Devou Park show, TANK offers shuttles from Covington Catholic High School for $1 each way. For more information, registration, for weather updates and drawing chances, and directions, visit the KSO at www.kyso.org or call 859-431-6216. A $5 per person suggested donation is encouraged. Free parking at all venues. Sunday’s 7:30 p.m. performance will be live-streamed at www.kyso.org.
Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
