I was very young when I met Frank Sinatra.
I was out in Vegas in 1969 for the first time and would go out every 6 months or so. I went a lot after 1973 when I got rid of my business partner Tony. He was a pain with his constant complaining so we severed the partnership.
It was in the Fall of 69 that I first met Mr. Sinatra. I was in the Desert Inn having a drink when someone told him I worked for Meyer Lansky. Moe Daliz did not want me to ever start up with people because all my older associates just did not think I had the maturity yet and they were probably right. Moe had been in Vegas since the beginning and was being pushed out by the new guys. I did not understand much about the Casino's other than "give me a Coors and where do I play blackjack". Meyer had told people that I was a race course kid and hated sports betting and casino Floor betting. I got bored at the tables. I was in Vegas just to meet a few people and use Meyer's name. I was already meeting guys from other cities and being very respectful. I was a 21 year old kid and I knew it. Mr Sinatra came up from behind me in the afternoon at the front bar at the DI. He said "give this young man a coors." I turned around and he said "They are getting them younger every year".
I laughed and said " Don't worry Mr. Sinatra, I'm harmless and stupid". He laughed very hard. "My young friend, you are going to make many friends by making light of yourself" "Everyone here knows you work for Meyer and they don't know why" "Please tell me why a man like Meyer Lansky would take a 20 year old in at his age?" I said bluntly, " Mr Sinatra, I love your music, and most likely always will". "My father has worked for Meyer and his friends in The New York State Supreme Court for 20 years, and Mr. Lansky appreciates every thing my Dad does. I guess Mr. Lansky firures, like father, like son"" My dad is also the Court Republican bag man in the State and the Lt. Governors drinking buddy, plus the most influential man in the Catskills".
Mr Sinatra smiled and said, "I guess that told me". I said back, "some day I will stand on my own, but you help your children don't you". He said" Yes I do Mike" "I know your name" and we proceeded to have a few drinks together.
As I got older the talk changed and I of course became Meyer's Enforcer and Paul DiCocco's Partner and A Nite-Club owner! Sincerely bigmikecraft.com
24.01.2009 | Bigmikecraft's blog
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