Sinatra to Play Forest Hils Music Festival in July

June 29, 1965 - Frank Sinatra, making his first public appearance in New York in eight years, will open the sixth season of the Forest Hills Music Festival at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium on Thursday, July 8. He will also appear on July 9 and 10.

Sinatra was originally booked for only two appearances, but mail response to the first announcement of his concerts, in an advertisement on May 23, was so great that the producers quickly arranged the third concert. 

Sinatra is reportedly receiving about $40,000 for each night’s performance. The potential gross at the Stadium is $84,000 a night.

Appearing with Sinatra will be the Oscar Peterson trio and Count Basie’s orchestra. The Basie band will perform on its own and will also accompany Sinatra, playing arrangements written and conducted by Quincy Jones. Sinatra’s fee covers the entire troupe.

Following Sinatra’s engagement, the festival will present Judy Garland, Peter, Paul and Mary, Trini Lopez, Stan Getz, Woody Allen, Barbra Streisand, and Johnny Mathis. An additional evening with Bob Dylan may be added.

According to the festival’s producers, Miss Streisand will be paid “in the same bracket” as Sinatra.

Miss Garland will be making her first appearance in New York since 1961, when she sang at Forest Hills. The reigning veteran of the series is Mathis. This will be his fifth year and, the festival producers report, “very quietly sells out every year.”

Ticket prices are $2.95, $3.95, $4.95, $5.95, $6.95.

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