Celebrities pick Ol’ Blue Eyes favorites

Tuesday, April 21, 1998 | 10:30 a.m.

"I was courting my wife, Felicia, and we played it constantly," Lemmon explained.

It's also entertainer Bruce Hornsby's favorite: "I have twin boys, age six, and for the last four or five years I have sung this song to them as a lullaby when they're going to sleep."

The favorite song selections of Sinatra fans were being collected for a one-of-a-kind "Thank Frank" book that will be presented during the May 28-31 Las Vegas celebration of the entertainer and the Frank Sinatra Las Vegas Celebrity Classic charity golf tournament, spokeswoman Susan Reynolds said Tuesday.

The tournament benefits the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage and the Las Vegas Opportunity Village.

Aldrin really didn't have to explain his affection for "Fly Me To The Moon."

"Of course, this song became a reality for me and I have always loved hearing it because 'Fly Me To The Moon' reminds me of my trip there. My wife, Lois, and I played it at our Valentine's Day wedding 10 years ago," Aldrin said.

"NYPD Blue" star Dennis Franz picked "Strangers in the Night" ("I can't imagine anybody else's version ever replacing the image I have of Frank Sinatra singing this song") and baseball manager Davey Johnson likes "New York, New York."

"I went to New York and made it to the top of baseball in 1986 with the Mets. I have chills when I hear Frank sing, 'New York, New York,"' Johnson said.

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski said without question "My Way" was his favorite. Athletes and others universally adore the song, he said.

"It reflects the spirit of all Americans - especially athletes," Bartkowski said.

Fans are also invited to submit their song favorites on the Sinatra website (www.sinatracenter.org).