The Summit

The time known as the "Summit" officially began in January 1960, in Las Vegas, at the Sands Hotel and also in front of movie cameras around town capturing the Rat Pack heist caper, Ocean’s Eleven. The sounds they made live and swing forever. Starting in January, 1960, the Rat Pack made their home at the Copa Room in Jackie Entratter's Sands Hotel and Casino on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Sadly, the Sands (and the Copa Room along with it) no longer exists. It was a casualty of Las Vegas' expansion and the trend toward family entertainment. For a period of time in the early-to-mid sixties, though, it was the coolest spot in the Universe.

Surely these "Summit" meetings were the ultimate night club acts ever assembled. Frank, Dean, and Sammy carried the bulk of the show, singing, telling jokes, doing impressions, and cutting up. Fortunately, some of these routines have survived and they're a riot to watch and listen to. The Rat Pack also made a few films together during this period that you can watch and share along in the obvious fun that they had. "Ocean's Eleven", "Sergeant's 3", and "Robin and the Seven Hoods" are the three that feature the entire Pack (except for the absence of Lawford and Bishop in "Hoods" - the reasons for which are explained below). The cover charge at the Sands was $5.95, which included dinner, but getting a seat was tough unless you were well connected or dropping a lot of cash at the casino. Fortunately, some of these routines have survived and they're great to watch and listen to. The Pack first gained national prominence with their work for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. Sinatra and the others were visible supporters of the campaign, doing publicity and photo ops. Frank even recorded a new version of "High Hopes" that became Kennedy's campaign song. ("So, if you vote for Kennedy, vote for Kennedy, we will come out on top...").   As Kennedy campaigned, the Pack made "Ocean's 11" in Las Vegas. They filmed during the day and held court on stage at the Sands at night. Kennedy could sometimes be spotted at ringside, enjoying the spectacle of his new celebrity friends. At the opening of the Democratic National Convention that summer in Los Angeles, Frank, Sammy, Peter, and Shirley MacLaine sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." Thus, the bond between politics, entertainment, and celebrity was born, a trend that has continued in subsequent elections.