I recall when I first met Franco Corelli. It was through my friend Jerome Hines. I have written about this before, but I never showed the book that Corelli signed for me. We talked for hours and had dinner and then I drove the Corelli's home. I never knew at the the time that we would meet several times and share a number of dinners and talks. So I came to this gathering with a camera and my Corelli book. I thought it would be my only chance. I guess I looked silly, but I wanted to get it signed. Corelli signed it in my car in front of his home at Hemisphere House on 60 West 57th Street.
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This is us at dinner that first time we met. Corelli, Mrs. Corelli w/dog, me, and Jerry Hines.
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This is the book I bought to have Corelli sign. Mrs. Corelli told me that they were working on a book. I am not sure if that ever materialized.
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Corelli's autograph in the book. Soon we would meet often, and an autograph became the last thing in my mind. But I am glad I did this the first time we met.
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This was a CD in the book. I remember Franco saying "Look mama, we don't get royalties from this recording." We laughed and said good night. Soon we would have dinner a number of times at Jerry Hines House and share many wonderful times.
I was so very lucky to know those wonderful people.