Imagine if you were 20 years old and were invited to spend New Year’s Eve with Ol’ Blue Eyes; but that’s precisely what happened to Wyatt Dickerson.
By Janet Donovan
Wyatt Dickerson, His Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz and Frank Sinatra, circa Jan. 1981 during Ronald Reagan's first inaugural. Photo taken at Wyatt Dickerson's then-owned Merrywood Estate in McLean, VA.
1944: It was a very good year.
Imagine if you were 20 years old and were invited to spend New Year’s Eve with Ol’ Blue Eyes; but that’s precisely what happened to Wyatt Dickerson.
Francis Albert Sinatra – also known as The Chairman of the Board, The Voice and Frankie – met Wyatt, an aspiring actor, in 1944 which launched a 54-year friendship.
“The first time I met Frank Sinatra was on Christmas Eve 1944 at his house in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles. I had just been honorably discharged from the US Navy the month before and I was living at the house of my friend Peter Lawford and his parents General Sir Sydney and Lady Lawford.” (Sinatra never served in the military. He was grated a 4-F deferment for a perforated eardrum by the draft board which plagued him throughout his career).
“Peter and Frank were under contract to Metro Goldwyn Mayer and had just become friends. The party was loaded with well known musicians; Paul Weston, Axel Stordahl; singers Connie Haines and Jo Stafford and about a dozen more. Frank and I had several very friendly talks that evening, and I was flattered when he asked if I would like to come back for New Year’s Eve.”
Although Dickerson saw him rarely and only on special occasions over the next 25 years, those occasions made an impact.
“In 1970, our friendship continued with our mutual fondness for Phyllis and Bennett Cerf. Bennett was CEO of Random House publishers. Frank retired from his busy work load in 1970 and 1971, and we would meet at the estate of the Cerf’s in Mt. Kisco, New York. It became a regular summer escape, Frank even brought his yacht, the Roma, one year, and we sailed around New York .”
Sinatra’s ties to Washington were legendary. First, with the election of John F. Kennedy and later with President Ronald Reagan.
“Frank had two bad experiences with Washington power figures. The first was when he was rejected by the Kennedy’s in 1960, and the second by an unfortunate association with Vice President Agnew. When his friend, Ronald Reagan was elected, he had a third opportunity to become a White House favorite.
A few nights before President Reagan was sworn in as our new President in 1981, my wife, Nancy, and I gave a party at our house for 120 of his and our friends. Hollywood stars, famous journalists, well known business tycoons, and social types. Barbara and Frank Sinatra were guests, as was His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia. Prince Talal was excited about meeting the new President, but he was even more excited about meeting Frank Sinatra.”
“Although Frank Sinatra was mentioned in the press as having a temper, I had only a happy, humorous, pleasantly memorable friendship (with him) for fifty-four years,” said Dickerson.
Wyatt, famous in his own right, owned the popular Pisces watering hole for dignitaries and celebrities. Washington has never been able to duplicate the genius of the club, nor has anyone ever been able to duplicate the voice of Ol’ Blues Eyes.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJpxwQ2GJac[/youtube]
Washington Life magazine proudly sponsors Frank Sinatra Night at the National Press Club on Saturday, June 12, benefiting The American Cancer Society. Click here for more information.
