Swingin' the Sands of Las Vegas

In March of 1963, the Beach Boys' Surfin' U.S.A. introduced surf music and the Beatles' Please Please Me helped to spark the British Invasion. The nation was on the verge of a new musical explosion. In September of 1963, the Rat Pack brought their show to the Sands night club in Las Vegas, proving that their act and their music could still swing.\nFrank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. were the remaining members of the original Rat Pack, which consisted of the three singers plus comedian Joey Bishop and actor Peter Lawford. The marquee outside the Sands read "DEAN MARTIN, MAYBE FRANK, MAYBE SAMMY." Dames and big-leaguers sat at tables covered in white cloths and clinked their glasses, awaiting the entrance of the three ultimate gassers. The announcer presented "direct from the bar, Dean Martin" in his black-tie tux. Greeted with applause and whistling, he sang "I Love Vegas" ("like Sinatra loves Jack Daniels" and "because my money's here"), delivered a well-timed monologue and then did a medley beginning with his signature "Volare."\nFrank followed Dean, to much applause, and began with a swinging version of "I Only Have Eyes For You" and a beautifully executed "I Have Dreamed" from the musical "The King And I." Frank and Dean did an entertaining medley, perverting the words of different song titles, that made the audience roar. Sammy Davis Jr. came on stage in the middle of it. Sammy sang a rather upbeat "The Lady Is a Tramp" and followed with some of his famous impressions. Meanwhile Frank and Dean made fun of him, and he jabbed back to the audience's delight. Dean and Frank did a great duet of "The Oldest Established" from "Guys and Dolls," and the band played "Ring-A-Ding Ding" as they exited.\nThe night was a perfected comedy act, a great musical performance and a casual meeting of friends. Maybe most importantly the rat pack performed naturally on stage together and gave the Sands' audience a glimpse of their natural (though larger-than-life) personalities. The audience might have felt they were part of a lucky few included in an inside joke among three good friends.\nThanks to the fact Frank shelved the recording, the audience has been expanded and everyone can enjoy the evening the Rat Pack shared at the Sands.\nRating: 7