Sinatra’s tour raised over £1million for charities for underprivileged and disabled children but Havers says his charitable work had an added advantage.
Ol’ Blue Eyes had suffered damaging publicity at home in America as newspapers hinted at Mafia associations and he had not long broken off his engagement to actress and dancer Juliet Prowse.
Havers says: “Sinatra once said ‘when I sing I’m honest’ and what that says to me is he wasn’t always honest. He was a very complex man.
“But he seemed to react with genuine, honest emotion when he met these children. How could you fail to be moved by a young blind child who asks you what color the wind is?”
Despite his gangster connections, Sinatra had a tremendous spirit of generosity.
Friend Tony Bennett once said of an older Sinatra: “In his youth, he acted like he was in the underworld, but he’s absolutely different.
“There’s so much tenderness and he cares for people.”
In 1986 Sinatra and wife Barbara set up a center for abused children and their families and there are stories of the singer giving cash donations to family, friends, and strangers.
But it was his visit to Sunshine House School that remains the stuff of legend.
Current headteacher Jackie Seaman: “We’re lucky to have received visits from many celebrities over the years and the children and staff are always honored to welcome these special guests.
“Even although Frank Sinatra’s visit was almost 50 years ago, it was talked about for many years and is a highlight of the school’s history.”
Credits: mirror.co.uk
Share this story on Facebook with your friends.