I have been reading the very interesting debate on "Mack The Knife." It is one of my favorite songs and I'm right now trying it find out what is the best Sinatra version and make sure I have it. I already have all the Darin versions. I started getting them after getting to know him. As a Pit Boss, here in Vegas, I came in contact with Darin a few times. He was a very interesting guy.

In the early 60s he came to Vegas to play The Flamingo. He was very hot at the time. He had done a smash opening at The Copa in NY, in 1960. Can be heard on "Darin At The Copa."

He came by, one afternoon to The Sands to meet me about setting up a pool table in his suite at The Flamingo. The movie, "The Hustler" was just out and pool was a very in thing with some celebrities.

We were a small town then and he got the word that I played very good and could help set him up. So we got together a few times and after his shows we would go to "The Greek's" a local poolroom and play. He really wanted to play good. But enough of that, what you might find interesting was his special interest in Sinatra.

As we got to know each other, it became apparent that he wanted to find out from me all he could about how Sinatra worked at the Sands and what he wore, etc. He would ask me who made his Tux's (Sy Devore), his shirts (Nat Wise), his shoes (I didn't know). He wanted to know who introduced him and how, etc. Now to most of this I would tell him to just go and see Sinatra. But this where the other side of Bobby would show up. He would not go.

Interesting fellow, Bobby. When he and I would just be playing pool or having coffee he was a really nice, cool and humble guy. He was in awe of Sinatra, no doubt about it. But when others joined us or were around, he became "Cocky" and showed a lot of arrogance.

When Sinatra was out of town, he came to the Sands to see me and wanted to see the Copa Room. It was in the afternoon and I took him to the stage. He got on it and walked around. He was in heaven. He stood center stage and got the feel of the room and what it was like to play there. He took down the name of the speakers that were on the floor, right in front of the mic. He wanted to know the name of the speaker used in the room. I didn't know any of this. He wanted to know what mics Sinatra used. He wanted the name and model number. He even took down the name of the mic stand used in the Copa Room. “Did Sinatra use this?” I told him no, Sinatra has his own special stand and special mics brought in and set up by his own people. Bobby wanted all of this. I told him I would do what I could.

I did try talking to our sound man. He handled all the sound setups in the showroom. His answer "No you can't touch that stuff. It's in locked storage and only Sinatra's people set it up. I don't know the model number and only he sets it up. Don't ask me any more questions, ask Sinatra, he knows more about mics and their frequency response than I do."

I told Darin all this. He said he would get someone to find out. "I want to use what Sinatra is using."

So we have this soft, really sweet guy and the cocky, very self assured guy that went on stage.

I don't care what he told the press. Sinatra was his model and in many way his idol. He wanted to get to that place he felt Sinatra had. I belive this "competition" kept them apart.

I've only seen him here in Vegas and I can tell you he was a great entertainer. He put on one hell of a show. He drew the right people for us in the casino business. He is one of my personal favorites.

To see him singing Mack the Knife" and watch the audience of dressed people swinging in their seats is a sight.

I considered Bobby my friend, and a good one.

Bobby played The Sands years later, around 1970, I believe. I think he played only once. He probably found out what so many other have realized. You can play the Sands, use the room, do your best act but you will not do what Sinatra does in that room.

What Sinatra has done has not been matched since. Of course now that The Sands is torn down, it just won't be repeated.

Both Frank and Bobby is gone now. Two wonderful guys who gave us everything they had.