Frankly, it's Sinatra
Nick McClone
Issue date: 2/15/10 Section: Campus Life
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Wagner's impeccable impersonation of Sinatra in "A Tribute to Frank Sinatra" Jan. 26, 2010, amazed the audience and had them asking for more. Performing many of Sinatra's hit songs, Wagner started the show off with "The Lady Is a Tramp."
This particular set had recordings of the Jeremy Olsen Orchestra playing in the background. He took on the uncanny look as well as the mannerisms of the late Frank Sinatra, whether by simply snapping his fingers or engaging in playful banter with the audience.
"Never played a cafeteria before, but this is the best one so far-the special today is pulled pork," Wagner joked with the crowd.
Wagner mingled with the crowd, shaking hands with students, serenading one lucky lady and even leading a happy birthday sing-along for a 19-year-old student.
"That's what you have to do," Wagner told the Voice. "Interact with the crowd."
Wagner has been performing for 50 years and was the lead singer for The Vogues until he began his Frank Sinatra Tribute show seven years ago.
He has performed the show all over the United States, including San Francisco, New York and Las Vegas where he once sang in front of Ol' Blue Eyes himself. Four years ago, he won an Emmy for a Sinatra performance on PBS.
"I sort of look like him, so it works," Wagner told the Voice. "I don't call myself a Sinatra impersonator. I do it as a tribute."
Throughout the show, Wagner checked off each memorable Sinatra hit from his own personal favorite, "Summer Wind," a song written by four-time Academy Award winner Johnny Mercer, to "My Way."
"The most requested song I ever do," Wagner told the audience.
The end of the show featured the song "New York, New York," the theme song to the Martin Scorsese film of the same name, which many audience members hoped for and even requested. Many of the spectators could be seen lip syncing the lyrics as Wagner encouraged them to sing along.
"He was wonderful!" Janet Chase, career support specialist at North, told the Voice. "Most of the entertainment here [North Campus] is very good!"
Wagner is originally from North Huntington, Pennsylvania, and performs at many local venues. Recently he was in Erie, Pennsylvania, doing a Rat Pack tribute.
Wagner has performed at Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino as well as the Benedum Theater, Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia and Palace Theater in Greensburg. Coming in August of this year, he can also be seen on the NBC program "America's Got Talent."
"I'd love to take my dad to see him," said one student in the crowd. "[Sinatra] was a great part of American culture."