This was the concert that changed Frank Sinatra, the June 16, 1957 show at the Cow Palace. His performance must have been very intimate with only 4,500 fans in attendance. The Cow Palace, seated 17,000 people and it was the final tour stop for Frank before he stared in the 1957 motion picture "Pal Joey" that came out in November. The Cow Palace previously hosted another concert of Frank's back in 1946. Mayor Rossi gave him the "Key to the City."The Cow Palace is also very significant to the Anderson family. In 1941, my grandfather Willard Severin Anderson, worked for an advertising agency called Fletcher Udall & Assoiciates. As Art Director, one of his company's advertising accounts was with the San Francisco International Livestock Pavilion. When he and his boss went out to look at the new building he said, "What a beautiful palace for cows!" And so, that's how the Cow Palace got it's name.
Another article I found suggested Frank would have done much better if he sang at the Oakland Auditorium. Elvis drew 2 performances with 6,400 fans in attendance there. The Oakland Auditorium is also very significant to the Anderson family. In 1916, my great-grandfather Harry S. Anderson, was the Commissioner of Public Works in Oakland between 1911-1917. He was in charge of that building, from start to finish.
My grandpa has always loved Frank Sinatra's music and so have I.
