When Frank Sinatra Met Elton John: Behind the Curtain of “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”, “Remember”, and a Night in Monte Carlo

When Frank Sinatra Met Elton John: Behind the Curtain of “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”, “Remember”, and a Night in Monte Carlo

By Robson Vianna

The relationship between Elton John and Frank Sinatra is a fascinating, lesser-known chapter in 20th-century music history. Though the two legends never recorded or collaborated officially, their connection was built on mutual admiration, symbolic gestures, and rare public and private encounters. Based on original documents, press clippings, and archival sources, this article reconstructs the complete timeline of their interactions — now fully documented and preserved.

October 1975 – Backstage at the Uris Theatre, New York City

During a two-week sold-out run at the Uris Theatre in Manhattan, Frank Sinatra achieved one of Broadway’s highest-grossing engagements at the time, nearing $1 million in ticket sales. Audiences included celebrities such as Jackie Onassis and, on one particular night, Elton John, who was then 28 years old and attending a Sinatra concert live for the very first time.

According to a newspaper clipping from the period, Elton sent a note backstage requesting a private meeting. Sinatra granted the request. Their meeting was documented with vivid detail, including Elton’s flamboyant outfit:

> “Denim coveralls, a yellow straw hat and a silver mink coat.”

During the encounter, Elton expressed that he had grown up listening to Sinatra’s records thanks to his parents, and felt deeply honored to meet him. Sinatra received the young star with warmth and curiosity, marking the beginning of a symbolic bond between the two artists.

Fan chaos and a bathroom emergency

The same article also describes two unexpected incidents that occurred during Sinatra’s run:

On one occasion, Elton was mobbed by more than 100 fans at intermission and had to flee backstage to Sinatra’s dressing area for safety.

On another night, he was followed into the men’s restroom by several women, and ultimately had to use Sinatra’s private bathroom, as some fans even tried to photograph him inside the stall.

These surreal episodes underscored Elton’s rising fame and the unique refuge he found backstage with Sinatra’s team.

https://www.reddit.com/r/franksinatra/comments/12lxfh0/hmf_elton_john_and_frank_sinatra_videos/

October 1976 – The release of “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”

The following year, Elton John released the Blue Moves album, which included the melancholic ballad “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”, with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. The song became an instant classic and marked a moment of emotional maturity in Elton’s songwriting.

March–May 1977 – Sinatra sings Elton John

In a rare move, Frank Sinatra chose to include Elton’s song in his live repertoire — an unusual nod to a contemporary pop composition. He performed “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” on at least two confirmed occasions:

March 4, 1977 – Royal Albert Hall, London

May 6, 1977 – Latin Casino, Cherry Hill, New Jersey

This was one of the few times Sinatra incorporated a modern pop ballad into his concerts, demonstrating genuine respect for Elton and Bernie’s craft.

1977 – “Remember”: a song written for Sinatra

That same year, Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote a new song titled “Remember”, specifically intended for Frank Sinatra. It was tailored to suit Sinatra’s mature vocal style and orchestrated sensibilities, with lyrics reflecting introspection and nostalgic tone.

July 1978 – Sinatra records “Remember” in studio

In July 1978, Sinatra recorded “Remember” in a studio session with orchestral arrangements by Don Costa. However, the track was never officially released.

Collectors and fan reports suggest that Sinatra performed “Remember” live between 1978 and 1979, though no commercial release or verified bootleg of these performances has surfaced.

1981 – Donatella Rettore officially releases “Remember”

The only known commercial version of “Remember” was recorded by Italian singer Donatella Rettore, on her 1981 album Estasi Clamorosa. The song is credited to Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

It is believed that the track reached her through connections with Elton’s artistic circle in the late 1970s, though no official statement about this collaboration has been made public.

August 10, 1984 – Public Embrace in Monte Carlo

The final chapter in this story took place at the prestigious Red Cross Gala, held in Monte Carlo on August 10, 1984. Elton John delivered an intimate performance, with a shortened setlist that included:

• Your Song

• Candle in the Wind

• Sad Songs (Say So Much)

• Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

• I’m Still Standing

• Blue Eyes

During the performance of “Blue Eyes,” observers and later fans have often noted that Elton John appears to glance toward Frank Sinatra, who was seated in the audience. Given that Sinatra was famously known as “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” this moment is frequently interpreted as a subtle, symbolic acknowledgment or gesture of respect. No official explanation was ever given by Elton John, and the meaning of the glance remains open to interpretation, adding a layer of quiet intrigue to the performance.

At the end of the show, Frank Sinatra — seated in the audience — walked onto the stage and embraced Elton John. No speech was made. Just a quiet, powerful gesture of mutual respect. Photographs from the night show both men dressed in formalwear, standing side by side and smiling under the gala lights.

About the videos

To preserve and present this timeline, I’ve edited and released a series of five videos, each focusing on a specific chapter of this connection between Elton John and Frank Sinatra — including music, historical data, and rare images.

The sixth and final video features the archival photograph of the two artists together in Monte Carlo, along with the original newspaper clipping describing their backstage meeting and the now-legendary restroom incidents from 1975.

This unique connection between Elton John and Frank Sinatra was built through:

A personal and emotional backstage meeting in 1975

A public musical tribute in 1977

An original song written expressly for Sinatra in 1977–78

A heartfelt embrace on stage in Monte Carlo in 1984

There were no duets or joint recordings. But these gestures — both private and public — revealed a silent, lasting conversation between two of the greatest performers of their time, bound by music, admiration, and legacy.

Discover my complete work, including research, publications, and rare archives, by visiting the link below:
https://allmylinks.com/robsonvianna

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