May 19, 1962 - Madison Square Garden became a blur of dancers, singers, actors, and musicians this morning and afternoon as show business celebrities rehearsed for New York’s Birthday Salute to President Kennedy. A special policeman and three Secret Service men carefully guarded the employee entrance. One young man in a pinstriped suit was stopped by a policeman. “Hey buddy,” said the policeman, “what’s your name?” “Bobby Darin.” The policeman made a notation on a long yellow sheet, the Secret Service men stepped aside, and the singer entered the Garden just as Jimmy Durante stepped out the door. Earlier in the day, Jerome Robbins rehearsed his ballet company, Maria Callas sang two arias, and Marilyn Monroe arrived for a musical rehearsal. “She’ll sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to the President while a five-tier cake is rolled in,” a production official said.
