Philly Radio: Sid Still Spinnin' Sinatra Songs

Frank Sinatra, Sid Mark

 "Your grandfather listened. Your mother listened. And now you listen."

History records that Frank Sinatra died in 1998, but Sid Mark has kept the Chairman of the Board alive by continuing one of the most remarkable tribute shows in radio history

For four hours each week, Mark opens up his vast vault of Sinatra records and takes listeners for a brisk walk down memory lane on CBS Radio's Talk station WPHT 1210 AM.

Sinatra would have turned 100 today, a milestone that leaves Mark amazed.

"Honestly, I thought he'd be here," Mark said. "He seemed to have that fortitude. His last show, in Palm Springs [in 1995], was his best. As he was coming offstage, he said 'I think I'm ready to go back on the road.'"

According to philly.com, Mark's "Sounds of Sinatra" show started accidentally. He was a deejay working the graveyard shift for WHAT in 1956 when a colleague failed to show up. With the extra airtime, Mark played a full hour of Sinatra. He's been doing it now for 59 years.

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One of the hallmarks of Mark's radio show is the commercials between the songs. Many of them are voiced over by Mark without a script. He often ad libs during the spot to make it even more intimate. Pica's Restaurant in Upper Darby is one of his original advertisers and Mark will discuss how his son raves about the chicken parm and his grandson loves the pizza and warm bread.

Robert called it "conversational broadcasting."

Mark is 82 years old, and his company Orange Productions, named after Sinatra's favorite color, also produces a show each week that is syndicated to 100 stations throughout the country.

Data curated by PrettyFamous