I stumbled upon this letter the other day:
It’s written by Frank Sinatra, in the September of 1990, to George Michael, following an interview Michael did with the LA Times’ Calendar Magazine. Talking on “the tragedy of fame”, Michael declared that he would shun the limelight before and during the upcoming release of his album ‘Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1’ – meaning there’d be very few interviews, absolutely no promo videos and no tour.
The week following Michael’s interview, Sinatra’s letter was published in Calendar Magazine.
And I bloody love it.
Particularly this paragraph:
Talent must not be wasted … those who have talent must hug it, embrace it, nurture it and share it lest it be taken away from you as fast as it was loaned to you.
But really the whole darn thing. Every word of it.
There’s so many truths in it. So many absolute gems. I’ve read it over and over and, to me, it’s not just a polite dust up of George Michael’s attitude. It’s a kick in the face to those coasting along. Those being ungracious. Those who aren’t hungry anymore.
I think most people could take a little something from it. Like:
Feed your talent.
Take life a little less seriously.
Don’t forget where you came from.
Be grateful for where you are. And what you have.
And:
You are stuck in a whirlwind of lament. But you have nothing to really complain about.
So have fun.
Go easy.
See where the ride takes you.
Swing, man.
SANDI SIEGER. 