Concert will pay tribute to legendary broadcaster Sid Mark

Fans of Frank Sinatra are mourning the death of venerable disc jockey and radio personality Sid Mark, but his “Sounds of Sinatra” show will continue in syndication on nearly 100 radio stations, with Sid’s son Brian planning a star- studded tribute concert for his father in November.

Sid Mark passed away on April 18 at age 88 in Bryn Mawr, Pa., after a 66-year career in radio, most of which was dedicated to legendary vocalist and performer Frank Sinatra.

Sid Mark enjoys a moment backstage with his hero. | SOUNDSOFSINATRA.COM

Mark’s programs aired on several stations in the Philadelphia market over the decades, including the old WWDB 95.6 FM. It can still be heard every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on flagship station WPHT 1210 AM. The program also streams live on Audacy. com as well as the Audacy app.

“Listeners, fans, and friends can still hear the long-standing tradition in broadcast excellence that is Sid Mark and Frank Sinatra,” Brian Mark said. “I had promised my father I would keep his legacy going strong into the future and that’s exactly what I am doing. As Sid has said for Mr. S., ‘The Legend continues.’ Now it’s ‘The Legends Continue.’”

Sid Mark launched “The Sounds of Sinatra” in Philadelphia in 1960, when a listener suggested he spin one hour of Frank Sinatra. It is the only radio show of its kind to have been personally authorized by Frank Sinatra.

In 1966, Sid and Frank developed a personal friendship, which would last until Sinatra’s death in 1998.

As The New York Times reported, the friendship began when Sinatra’s office invited Sid to Las Vegas to see him perform as a reward for helping to stoke sales in Philadelphia of the singer’s newly released live album, “Sinatra at the Sands,” by playing it nonstop for a week.

Sid attended many of Sinatra’s performances and would sometimes visit him at his suite at the Waldorf Towers in Manhattan. At times, during a concert, Sinatra would single him out from the audience.

“I love him, and I say that publicly, I love him,” Sinatra said in 1991 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. “He’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had in my life.”

Brian Mark is planning a 66th-anniversary concert on Nov. 13 at Live! Casino Hotel in Philadelphia.

“I’ll be hosting the concert which will feature Michael Martocci and his 20 piece orchestra performing the Sinatra classics,” he said. “Plus; a few special guests along the way.”

For tickets to the event, visit myconcerts.net

IAH