CHANNELING THE CHAIRMAN
Impressionist Rick Michel presents ‘Sinatra Forever’
Rick Michel knows his niche.
The master impressionist has shared the stage with many successful celebrities, such as Rich Little, Mickey Rooney, John Byner and Sherman Hemsley.
Over the course of his 50-year career, he’s impersonated Frank Sinatra, President Gerald Ford, Tony Curtis and Steve Allen.
The entertainer is bringing his “Sinatra Alive” to the Legends Theater at Route 66 Casino Hotel.
“As far as I’m concerned, Frank was the crooner of all the crooners,” he says in a recent phone interview from his home in Mexico. “He was an entertainer, and I’ve been performing Frank tunes for over 50 years. It never gets old to be on stage and performing the hits.”
In the “Sinatra Alive” show, Michel performs the Great American Songbook hits that made Sinatra one of the greatest singers of the 20th century.
Sinatra is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.
Michel says Sinatra recorded over 1,300 songs in his lifetime, which is more than the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
“He had so many albums, it’s really difficult to put together the show,” he says. “Like they say in show business, you have to have a strong opening, middle and closer. I’ll open with ‘Come Fly With Me’ and the closer is ‘My Way.’ I’m also bringing a 12-piece big band with me. There’s also no way we can play every song. It’s impossible. I try to pick out the most popular and go with that.”
Michel is also grateful to have met Sinatra. “His presence was so big,” he says. “I’ve never really met anyone like that. To be able to pay homage to his career is one of the best things I’ve been able to do in my life. He’s from a period of time that we all wish would be around. The songs have lasted decades and the arrangements are classic. He is definitely one of the greats.”