The Chicago Daily News columnist Mike Royko and the famed singer Frank Sinatra formerly competed against one another, as those who are familiar with the publication may recall. Royko criticized Sinatra in a piece for appearing in Chicago with a police guard.
For people in the public eye, it is unfortunate that the narrative and stories about your life might often be beyond your control.
They are reported by authors and opinion leaders who make money by publishing these tales. Making these stories sensational can thus serve as a motivator for anyone looking to make money. However, they can also reveal the less appealing aspects of famous people.
The reaction Sinatra had to Royko’s letters was widely reported. Years later, the journalist’s kid was still writing about it on his own blog. Nevertheless, I haven’t found Royko’s original letter.
Sinatra responded by stating that he had never asked for police protection and that it was not necessary.
Your information’s source is obviously bad, but I’ve never been surprised by that from people who make their career by writing for newspapers. They rarely present accurate information.
I would appreciate it if the cops chose to be understanding with me. Why not vent your frustrations with the Chicago Police Department instead of me, or is it too much work for you to handle? Sinatra asked.
Along with more serious allegations that he harm an elderly person, Royko claimed that he wore a ‘blonde wig.’ The nonsense human beings and there’s no doubt that is exactly what they are, which makes you a pervert because you are using people to make money, just like they are, Sinatra wrote.
‘You and millions of other easily fooled Americans read that kind of trash written by the same female gossip columnists that you are so gallantly trying to protect.’
He then pressed Royko to back up his claims, even making a $100,000 offer to Royko if he was mistaken.
I’ll let you pull at my ‘hairpiece.’ He hilariously wrote, ‘If it moves, I will give you another $100,000; if it doesn’t, bad for you.
Rokyo responded to Sinatra’s letter by calling the ‘short man with a thick neck’ who delivered the letter a ‘flunky’ and made fun of the way he spoke.
Under the guise of a ‘apology,’ he continued to make a fun at Sinatra while acknowledging that he never got attached with ‘elderly drunks,’ only younger ones.
Royko could have provided a factually sound defense if he had been genuinely worried about how tax monies were being used and how well the city was safe with some of its police force serving as security guards.
However, people genuinely buy into that sort of thing. Royko sold the letter at auction for $400 and donated the money to the Salvation Army.
The buyer of the letter was a fan named Vie Carlson, mother of ‘Cheap Trick’ drummer.
Years later, she appeared on Antiques Roadshow, and when she found out the letter was worth $15,000, she almost fell over. She was particularly surprised when someone off-camera made her a $100 bid for it. Her response was just priceless.
Carlson incessantly cried out that she was about to drop out and wanted a chair to sit down.
She was simply so ecstatic.
The appraiser stated, ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if it went for more than that because Sinatra material is as popular as it gets and it just doesn’t get any better than this.’
Apparently, the letter was also given a new value of $20,000. Carlson told the Chicago Tribune that she ‘can need the money’ because she has 24 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.