Fan’s Hobby Sums Up Sinatra

Cluttering Ric Ross’ suburban den is perhaps the most definitive collection of Frank Sinatra memorabilia in the world.

Hundreds of thousands of Sinatra-related items Ross has amassed over 42 years paper the walls, cover the tables and fill boxes stacked in every part of his Newbury Park home. Included are photos, album covers, original sheet music, even a 1996 Grammy nomination Ross received for his hand in compiling a historical album of his idol’s music.

Sinatra once said Ross “knows more about me than I do myself.”

So when Las Vegas promoters were looking for a way to honor Sinatra during a charity golf tournament this week, they turned to Ross. The highlights of his collection will appear in a tribute exhibit opening Tuesday at the MGM Grand Hotel.

The singer’s publicists and family have often tapped Ross for his knowledge of the most obscure Sinatra fact.

“When we have a question we just call Ric, and most of the time he can just rattle off the answer,” Sinatra’s personal assistant of 30 years, Dorothy Uhlemann, told The Times in a 1988 interview. “He’s more than a fan; he’s a Sinatra historian.”

Ross’ detailed record of Sinatra’s TV, radio and concert appearances over 60 years includes the names of accompanying band members, down to each trumpet player or violinist.

“The real basis of my collection is not so much the records or posters, but the information,” Ross said. “That’s why people call me.”

One of the treasures of his collection is a copy of Sinatra’s handwritten application for his first radio performance in 1935 on “Major Bowes Amateur Hour.” The document includes the singer’s boyhood Hoboken, N.J., address.

To thank Ross for his help, the family invited him to numerous recording sessions and concerts. He also attended Sinatra’s private funeral.

Ross said he is honored to help memorialize Sinatra with the Las Vegas display. He will assemble seven theme cases, touching on various aspects of Sinatra’s life, such as music, movies and the Vegas years.

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Wayne Newton is scheduled to cut the ribbon at the exhibit opening, which will be part of a celebrity golf tournament to raise funds for widow Barbara Sinatra’s center for abused children in Rancho Mirage.

Ross offered to lend his collection for a tribute when he was invited to the golf tournament four months ago.

“I don’t golf, and I wanted to do something more than just go to parties and lie around the pool,” Ross said. So he suggested setting up the display.

“Barbara was delighted to accept his generous offer,” said Sinatra family spokeswoman Susan Reynolds.

Tournament organizers were also glad to discover Ross. They had been trying to find a way to set up a tribute when the Sinatra family told them of Ross’ collection, said tournament spokeswoman Malissa Schwamm.

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“He’s been an ardent collector and has an excellent reputation with the family,” Schwamm said. “He seemed like the obvious choice since he has more memorabilia than anyone else in the world.”

When Ross learned of Sinatra’s May 14 death, he wondered whether the golf tournament would be canceled. But organizers said they decided to continue, since it was for the abused children’s center that was important to Sinatra and his wife.

“We thought it would be fitting to keep moving forward,” Schwamm said. “And Ric’s display will be a great kickoff for what will be a weeklong Sinatra tribute.”

After attending Sinatra’s funeral, Ross was sifting through his home trying to pick out last-minute selections for a display that already includes nearly 2,000 pieces.

But it was hard for him to concentrate. He kept thinking of the shudder he felt when Sinatra’s coffin passed inches from his aisle seat and pallbearer Don Rickles brushed against the pew.

“I was numb and still am,” Ross said. “This has been a somber week of reflective moods for me. But I’m looking forward to next week’s tournament, which I hope will be a celebration of Sinatra’s life. It gives this display so much more meaning.”

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Ross, who is a financial planner, has been enthralled by Sinatra since as a high school senior in 1956 he first heard the singer in concert. Watching the audience that night, Ross was amazed by what he saw.

“The women weren’t the only ones who swooned. I didn’t anticipate that the guys would be so transfixed. It knocked me out,” Ross said. “Right then I wanted to learn about Sinatra’s magic and where it came from. That’s how it all started.”

Ross immediately bought one of Sinatra’s albums and soon began collecting them. He never stopped.

Even though the size of the collection makes it difficult to navigate through his house, Ross said collecting is a hobby that takes up only a few hours each week.

And it is no coincidence that Ross named his business Financial Advice and Support. Consider the initials: F.A.S.

“It tells what I do in more ways than one,” Ross said.