Sinatra, Gotti and Me: The Rise and Fall of Jilly's Nightclub

 

New book: Sinatra, Gotti and Me: The Rise and Fall of Jilly's Nightclub

By Tony Delvecchio and Rich Herschlag

I haven’t done a book review in awhile, mainly because I haven’t been reading anything that I couldn’t get on my Kindle. But when I was asked to read and review Sinatra, Gotti, and Me, I knew I would have to set aside my beloved Kindle to read it.

I love Frank Sinatra and I’ve always been fascinated with stories about the Mob, my favorite movies are Godfather and Goodfellas, after all, so I couldn’t wait to get started.

I wasn’t sure what I expected but I was hoping it was going to be a good,fun read and it turned out to be much more than that.

The book grabbed me right from the first page, the writing is like someone sitting across from you just telling you a story.

It’s a peek into a life most of us can’t even begin to imagine of casual violence, and banging elbows with celebrities.

 

"If you loved Goodfellas, you'll love this one."

-Joe Franklin, radio and TV legend

"This is an American story, and a great story at that."

-Pat Cooper, legendary comedian

Easton, PA - Feb 22, 2011 - When Tony Delvecchio is asked to become a partner in the relaunch of a famous nightclub known as Jilly's, it is an offer he can't refuse. Jilly's was one of the most popular, famous, as well as notorious nightclubs in New York City during the 1960s, and then again in the late 1970s when it was revived by Tony Delvecchio and Tony Fusco, and hosted by its namesake, Jilly Rizzo, the best friend of Frank Sinatra. Looking for someone to watch his back, Delvecchio brings in an old friend, John Gotti, a rising captain in the Gambino family.

The renovated Jilly's once again became the hotspot for A-List celebrities, gangsters, regulars, nd wannabes. From John Gotti to Sinatra himself, Jilly's was the place to be - and proprietor

Tony Delvecchio ran it day and night with the able service of the fabulous Jilly Girls, plus a few bartenders provided by Mr. Gotti, before his days as the "Teflon Don."

When in 1980 Jilly's starts losing large sums of money, the trail leads to John Gotti's handpicked bartender. Employing the kind of tortured logic that makes perfect sense only in the wiseguy world, Tony Delvecchio and his crew drive out to the infamous Bergin Hunt and Fish Club to ask Gotti for a loan.

Sinatra, Gotti and Me is a lost piece of American pop culture, a missing first-hand glimpse into the lives of the Rat Pack and a long illustrious list of American entertainment, political, sports, and organized crime icons.
This is Tony Delvecchio's eye-witness story, unflinchingly told in his own words to author Rich Herschlag.

About the book:

Sinatra, Gotti and Me by Tony Delvecchio and Rich Herschlag

ISBN: 978-1595072375

Publisher: Archebooks Publishing

Date of publish: Jan 7, 2011

Pages: 268

S.R.P.: $26.99

About the authors:

Rich Herschlag has published nine books. His most recent, Pat Cooper: How Dare You Say How Dare Me, is in its second printing after just a few weeks and has garnered top reviews in Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and Book Pleasures, among others.

Herschlag earned a degree in civil engineering from Princeton University in 1984 and worked for a time at the upper levels of government in New York City. He now lives in Easton, PA, with Susan, his wife of twenty-three years, and their daughters Rachel, 18, and Elise, 12

Tony Delvecchio was raised in Newark, New Jersey and made a name for himself promoting musical acts like Frankie Valli and Joe Pesci. Delvecchio's meandering path on both sides of the law eventually took him to managing the day-to-day operations of Jilly's and later to an ill-fated, star-studded resort development in the Poconos which resulted in federal prison time.\

Eventually, Delvecchio reemerged as a popular radio talk show host perhaps best known for his interview of Goodfellas figure Henry Hill. Known to his fellow bookmakers back in the day as "Kelly," Tony passed away on St. Patrick's Day 2009.

Seriously, you need to pick this book up if you enjoy organized crime and celebrities.

Get it from Amazon