is it frank sinatra? is it dizzy gillespie?ave done everything with everybody, twice at least. >> there is no pinnacle. it is too different, from aretha franklin, ray charles, ll, duke. there is no panicle. -- there is no pinnacle. i would say the most influential people in the last 50 years of american music. that is something, i don't know how it happened, because you cannot plan that. you cannot make that happen. you have to just do what you know what to do and hope that somebody says dewitt with me. it -- and hope that somebody says do it with me. it is like with fright, and paris, i was the musical director for their records. somebody called and said mr. sinatra wrote once you to bring the whole house down, 55 musicians, to monaco for a sporting club for a fund-raiser for sinatra. i did not even know him. it was like a dream for an arranger. we went down, i got a call one day. the first guy to call me q -- q, i heard that phrase in that you did for count basie. it was a waltz. he said i like the one that you did. in 4-4. w

frank sinatra would have turned 95 on sunday.e voice was born in 1915 just across the river from new york city in who he ho, new jersey. there is a new book out entitled "frank the voice" the author james cap lan joins us this afternoon. good of you to come back and join us. we tried yo to get you in here a couple of times and we had breaking news. 800 pages. >> it doesn't even cover his entire life. he has been the subjecjon: he hf biographies before, why take him on again. >> he just had his 95th birthday. i grew fascinated with frank sinatra when i helped jerry lewis right his autobiography. his voice is a voice that endures, i wanted to get the genius on the page. jon: i am not a sinatra fan, but reading the book i'm fascinated with, you know, a guy who just works his tail off to get what he wants. and you can do that in this country. >> yes, yes, a big surprise in the book for me was how incredibly hard he worked on his singing which he may sound so effortless, his breath control, his diction, he studied the lyric for every

i mean, really, with the exception of frank sinatra, there's been some good musician actors, but frankt this, though. you got even, like, a beer-stained ring or something there? what is that? [ laughing ] >> bruce: i don't remember, man. i don't know. >> jimmy: what was that ring, jack daniel's? [ laughing ] but it's so cool. look at this. i've got to show this, because i freaked out. i love this! there's the record. handwriting. just, like, lyrics, things. >> oh, you're good. >> jimmy: no, i'm doing it because i'm intrigued by this. like -- over here you got -- >> those are votes for the songs. >> jimmy: is that right? you vote on what you like with the band? >> i didn't listen to anyone else's votes. >> jimmy: you want to be democratic about it. >> bruce: but i allowed them to vote. [ laughter ] here's the vote. >> jimmy: that's the message for all you kids out there. you've got to vote. make it count. >> bruce: they had a vote. >> jimmy: you've got to vote. this i love. this is, like, a set list or something right here? this is, like, you jamming out. look at all the buddy holly you

frank sinatra sang. >> yeah. ♪ so long to your hit parade and the guests that you loved to be playedlarry doesn't remember it. we're dying, trumper. . we're dying! >> larry has never heard the song, regis. i don't know how to it tell you to do your business but i might have worked that out in the preinterview. larry's young son 10-year-old cannon does the best impersonation of anyone you've ever seen. watch this. >> first cannon does me. do me. >> where's shawn. get in the car. i'm too old for this. i done this for 50 years. >> that kid is good. all right. now to say good-bye, our favorite, recent moments from larry king. >> may be silly but we have to ask it, are you gay? >> here's that answer. i'm not going to answer that. >> how are you? >> i'm okay. thank you, larry. how are you? >> i'm okay. >> larry, it's completely confidential and you're being inappropriate. >> okay. >> okay. you're being inappropriate. >> inappropriate king live continues. >> yes. >> i'm a gay man and i love pageants. i'm sure that you and carrie have got great gay friends that helped you possibly win. what

i'm having a really difficult time with franke sinatra. but i'll get there. t one of these days i'll do frank. >> larry: you also have a great voice. you sang the national anthem at yankee stadium. you're a singer in your own rite. >> i do a song and most people on tv don't realize i can sing. and it's true, because after the show, i'll go out and talk to people and meet them. and people would say, you sang that song, i didn't know that you could sing. well, i'm a ventriloquist and the puppets can sing. so i guess that's a sign of doing a good job. >> larry: you have every missed a performance? >> i have never missed a performance in 28 years, i think. >> larry: you have worked through laryngitis? >> i have the best doctor in the world. he works with mick jagger and axl rose. >> larry: from america's got talent, you got the mirage contract? it's $10 million a year for 10 years, is that true? >> i'm not supposed to talk money, but that's what i have heard. >> larry: when we come back, we'll talk to his lovely wife and find out how he nabbed her. ] taste pops...

frank sinatra told me that right before he goes on, he still gets that little "will i have it." there? do you have that too? >> god yes. i used to have total stage fright. you know, that's why i didn't sing for a long time. but there's always that feeling of, you know, yeah, will i make those high notes? will the audience be really receptive? will my feet hurt? everything. it's all -- >> larry: stage fright? you got stage fright? >> oh, yeah. >> larry: of what? >> because when i sang -- when i sang in front of 135,000 people and the free concert in central park, 1967, i forgot the words to three of my songs. and that was it for me. i never sang professionally -- meaning where i charged for the tickets. i did it for charity, you know, and political things. but for 27 years i didn't sing. till i went back to the mgm grand in 1993 -- >> larry: because of those mistakes -- >> yeah, uh-huh. i just -- until they developed teleprompters. that's what it was. when i did the 1986 concert in my backyard for the democrats. and they had developed teleprompters. the funny thing what they were

i'm having a really difficult time with frank sinatra. but i'll get there. here. one of these days i'll do frank. >> larry: you also, of course, have a great voice. you sang the national anthem at dodgers stadium. you're a singer in your own right. >> that's the thing, i have a joke in the show where i do a song and i say, most people that have seen me on tv don't know that i can sing. after the show, i'll go out and sign autographs and talk to people and meet them. people will say, you sang that song by yourself. i didn't know you could sing. well, i'm a ventriloquist and the puppets are singing. i guess i'm doing a good job if they don't know i can sing. i love that. >> larry: you told me you never miss a performance, right? >> i have never missed a performance, not in 28 years, i think. >> larry: you worked through laryngitis. >> mm-hmm. everything. i have the best voice doctor in the world. he lives in dallas, texas. and he is unbelievable. his name is dr. kirkham. he works with mick jagger, and axl rose. >> larry: you got the mirage county from "america'

frank sinatra. >> that. so long to your hit parade and the guest that you loved to be played.ember it. we're dying, trump. we're dying here. >> larry: okay. you got me, regis. i lose. >> i didn't mean to get you. i wanted to show everybody that you know all of those songs. >> larry: i lost the $500 question. i'm off the show. donald trump, thank you for humbling yourself and appearing with us again tonight. >> we all appreciate it. >> i tell you what, it is my honor. you're an amazing guy. we'll miss you. i assume you'll be back bigger than ever. look at him. he looks great. >> looks great. why is he leaving? >> what is going on? >> we don't like this. >> you shouldn't be leaving anything, larry. but we -- >> larry: donald -- >> the group here, i will tell you, we have a great group of people in new york and we all love you an you're a special guy and nobody ever did it better. >> larry: thank you, thank you, donald. thank you for the wonderful words you gave to "the new york times" this week, too. very, very appreciative. suze orman! >> mr. king. don't go! don't go! >> larry:

cheaply as the british could get it, but coffee becomes more readily available from brazil so frank sinatraan sing about it and everything like that. [laughter] >> do you have a question, sir? >> well, actually the prior gentleman took my question, but i've come up with another one. [laughter] with all the controversy surrounding these tea shipments and the taxation issues surrounding it, why wasn't there better security provided for these ships? >> that's a very good question. i mean, there is -- the security that's being provided onboard these ships this weeks for the ships arrive -- well, let me back up for a second. the rule was if a ship comes into harbor, it has 20 days to unload it good if it has dutiable goods aboard. and if those 20 days elapse, the navy can sell everything at option. if you had taxable goods onboard, you had to get rid of it in 20 days. and so the deadline was going to expire on december 17th at the stroke of midnight. so that's why december 16th becomes the last day for the bostonians to somehow deal with the tea. so, but the thing that the bostonians were afraid

drinkers, but coffee just becomes more readily available from jamaica and brazil, you know, so frank sinatra can sing about it. [laughter] >> did you have a question, sir? >> well, actually, the prior gentleman took my question, but i've come up with another one. [laughter] with all the controversy surrounding these tea shipments and the taxation issues surrounding it, why wasn't there better security provided for these ships? >> that's a very good question. i mean, there is -- the curt that's being -- security that's being provided in the weeks between when the ships arrive and -- okay, well, let me back up for a second. the rule was that if a ship comes into harbor, it has 20 days to unload its goods if it has custom bl good or duty bl goods aboard. and if those 20 days elapse, then the navy or the customs service can come in, swoop in and sell everything at auction. you had to get rid of it in 20 days. you couldn't just wait around and keep it aboard ship. the deadline was going to expire on december 17th at the stroke of midnight, so that's why december 16th becomes the last day for the

and i am so glad that you are here, eric peterson is s hcreck and you'd sang with every frank sinatrale. >> i try to interpret the words it is terrific. the movbetween now, and this is a blast. and what a great place, at w w w ..sfam.com and thank eric peterson and also bill maher be in napa on thnew year's day and i ewen mcgregor, and a gay couple, and you can believe that they really love each other. and a con man, and a little bit weird, with jim carey. and with such sweet sincerity, i would give this 12 hats. there's a lot of heart in it. however, there are several problems with it but it is perhaps worth your time and money. and with black swan, i'd i would recommend it is a guy's idea of a hot check movie. and made ain and burlesque will put you in a great mood, and morning glories. and we need positive attitudes right now, and inside job, the most amazing documentary the social network and fair game. all of those are worth your time, money, to get to the palace hotel and vote for my gingerbread house before december 31st. the money will go to paws, pets for a wonderful support.

these sweeteners president obama put in to get democratic votes and we'll do it our way to quote frank sinatrany way for the republicans to have enough votes to stop this from going forward? report no. zero. not a chance. nada, zip, no chance. the senate passed this compromise by a vote of 81-19. that's not just squeak it through. that is overwhelming. that's after the closure vote of 83-15. with that momentum heading into the house. it's like a bulldozer. it's going to gothrough few. when you have the d it's going to go through. and when you have the president saying it's a good deal and mitch mcconnell saying the same thing, that's what they are going to do. megyn: i have to ask you about the omnibus spending bill which you held up during the show yesterday. there has been pushback on both sides. now we hearing more and more about how the run cans have been working behind the scenes on this bill and knew what was tonight and don't believe the outrage. where does the truth lie? >> reporter: i talked to a lot of republicans who have earmarks in this thing. they said they started with the appro

what do steve martin and frank sinatra have in common? they're part of our best picks.n's novel. >> you liked it. >> and janice agrees. >>> plus, annie lennox was here a little bit ago. she has a new christmas cd. >> i've been playing it a lot. >> it's a terrific album. we're going to hear a little more this morning. >>> and first, we'll check in with sam champion, who is lighting up the holidays at the bellagio hotel. sam, it is gorgeous behind you. >> it is spectacular here. that's one of the reasons we wanted folks to get in the spirit and see the lights. we have a good surprise. terry fator, and his beautiful wife are here this morning. and they wanted to participate in our coat drive, which i thought was just amazing. 12 families will get coats because of what you just did. you have the bellagio in, as well. 64 coats coming in from the bellagio. this is amazing. we're running a little behind on our drive. your being so generous. would you explain to people, maybe why and what it means to you? and why maybe they should jump on? >> absolutely. even if things are a li

if the kid doesn't want to listen to frank sinatra, somebody like that, whoever's popular, britney spearsults will love to. we love justin roberts, recently grammy nominated. an upcoming group our seattle, and this is fronted by chris ballou. >> anything overall hints for traveling? >> we asked our twitter follower what's they thought the biggest tip was for staying safe and sane. number one, make a play list and fwhoub is snacks, snacks and snacks. >> have a 3 and 5-year-old? >> i do. >> what are your biggest challenges? >> were you saying yourself, the little one used to get car sick. fortunately, she grew out of that. >> and something had you to grow out of. nothing you can do anything about. >> i don't any of these would help. don't give reading materials in the car. great, too, distractions. do things like tell them a story. stories, like stories to go. and have, you know, another thing for kids to listen to in the that car that won't drive you crazy. >>> for more of these products go to our web sis, earlyshow.cbsnews.com. >>> now here's are bak kaw. >>> if you and the kids need to g

. >> yeah, frank sinatra sang it. >> yeah. ♪ you're the hit parade >> larry doesn't remember it.> larry king didn't know the song. >> it wasn't on the teleprompter. what do you want? come on. >> are you attacking larry king? >> are you kidding me? do you think i can say anything that isn't on my teleprompter at 10:00 at night? when lawrence o'donnell comes on -- srchlts that still on? >> a lot of nights of the week. a majority of the nights of the week. >> seven. >> yeah. >> some of our favorite recent moments of larry king. >> this may be silly, but i guess we have to ask. are you gay? >> well, here's that answer. i'm not going to answer that. >> how are you? >> i'm okay. thank you, larry. how are you? >> i'm okay. >> larry, it's completely confidential, and you're being inappropriate. >> okay. >> okay? >> inappropriate king live continues. >> yes. >> i'm a gay man, and i love pageants. i'm sure that you've got great gay friends that would help you possibly win. >> low to the floor, too. >> whoa. >> see? i told you, it's low to the floor. >> low to the floor. whoa. ♪ bye! ♪ and

there used to be elvis and frank sinatra and the beatles. there aren't people like that anymore. people who everyone would recognize by their voice. we've become different and estranged from each other but humor and politics can bring us back together and if politics can't, then i have my doubts about humor, too. thank you. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2009] >> thank you very much. thank you so very much. we have a couple of microphones here and i see people edging that way. a young woman has leaped or leapt to one. yes, ma'am. >> i have had the joy of seeing you at tanglewood the last seven years -- >> where were you sitting? >> i notice you all have scripts but when you do lake wobegon you have no script, yet the show comes out on time. my question is, how do you do that? >> when you're telling the truth you don't need a script. you just remember things as best you can. no, it's not really required that you have a script. the president has to have one, i understand that, the teleprompter an

there used to be elvis and frank sinatra and the beatles. there aren't people like that anymore. people who everyone would recognize by their voice. we've become different and estranged from each other but humor and politics can bri us back together and if politics can't, then i have my doubts about humor, too. thank you. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright tional cable satellite corp. 2009] >> thank you very much. thank you so very much. we have a couple of microphones here and i see people edging that way. a young woman has leaped or leapt to one. yes, ma'am. >> i have had the joy of seeing you at tanglewood the last seven years -- >> where were you sitting? >> i notice you all have scripts but when you do lake wobegon you have no script, yet the show comes out on time. my question is, how do you do that? >> when you're telling the truth you don't need a script. you just remember things as best you can. no, it's not really required that you have a script. the president has to have one, i understand that, the teleprompter and al

there used to be elvis and frank sinatra. there were the beatles.there are not people like that anymore, people who everyone would recognize by their voice. we have become different and estranged from each other. but humor and politics can bring us back together. if politics cannot, and then i have my doubts. then i have my doubts about humor, too. thank you. [applause] thank you very much. [applause] thank you so very much. there are a couple of microphones here. i see edging people -- i see people edging that way. a young woman has lept to one. >> i have had the joy of seeing you at tanglewood over the last seven years. >> where were you sitting? [laughter] >> when you do lake wobegon, you have no script. the show always comes out on time. how do you do that? >> when you are telling the truth, you do not need a script. [laughter] [applause] you just remember things as best that you can. it is not really required that you have a script. the president has to have one. i understand that. there is the teleprompter and all of that. if this id -- senten

it used to be elvis and frank sinatra and the beatles. there are not people like that anymore, people who everyone would recognize we have become different humor and politics can bring us back together. if politics cannot, then i have my doubts about humor as well. thank you. [applause] >> thanks very much. we have a couple of microphones. >> i know you have skipped -- scripps. how do you do that? >> when you are telling the truth, you do not need a script. you remember things as best you can. it is not really required that you have a script. the president tends to have one. if kids have the wrong subordinate clause -- you and i do not need a script. >> we still managed to conclude a story in a logical way? >> i am an older person. a person should develop some skins -- skills. >> you got your start in humor. we come back to the beginning again. how does that have been? >> i had a need to do this as a child. my mother enjoyed having me around watching her as she worked. she had a six children. she would wash and clean and iron and i was he