By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana — This Friday, February 5th, Steve Lippia brings his Simply Sinatra show to the Honeywell Center where he performs the greatest hits of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, including “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “My Way,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Luck Be A Lady” and “Come Fly With Me.”
In a recent telephone interview with MiBash Radio, Lippia said that he shares a similar cultural and ethnic background with Sinatra, both being of Italian decent and both growing up in the New York/New Jersey area. But Lippia said that he does not try an imitate the late beloved crooner, who was known simply as “The Voice.” While he might borrow some of Sinatra’s phrasing, the voice is Lippia’s own, which, he said, is similar to Sinatra.
Lippia expanded his point by mentioning a quote by singer Linda Ronstadt who famously said, “You don’t have to be original . . . but you must be authentic.” He went on to say that he does not put on a Sintara costume and imitate the on-stage persona of the Chairman of the Board like many of the other sound-a-likes do. The Simply Sinatra show, he said, is simply inspired by – and pays tribute to – an individual who many believe was the greatest singer who ever lived.
Lippia will also bring his 10-piece swinging big band to Friday night’s Simply Sinatra show. Tickets are still available for Friday’s night’s performance at the Honeywell Center. For more information, call the Honeywell Box Office at (260) 563-1102 or visit honeywellcenter.org.