Frankie Randall | Singer and pianist, 76

Frankie Randall, 76, a singer and pianist who was a Rat Pack favorite in the '60s and a staple of TV variety shows of that era, died Sunday in California. The cause was lung cancer, said his longtime companion, Melinda Read.

In addition to his TV appearances with Dean Martin and others, he recorded several songs, bringing his jazz-inflected, supper-club approach not only to such standards as "It Had to Be You," but also to the TV theme from Flipper and the Who rock anthem "I Can See for Miles."

He appeared at casino lounges and clubs across the country. But Mr. Randall - who was born Frank Lisbona in Passaic, N.J. - was most closely identified in his professional and personal life with Frank Sinatra. The leader of the Rat Pack first heard Mr. Randall in a New York club and helped him get a recording contract. And although the "most memorable" gig of Mr. Randall's career was his first appearance on The Tonight Show, he told the Palm Springs Desert Sun in 2011, the "best bill" he ever appeared on was with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in Atlantic City.

Later in life, Mr. Randall became the unofficial house pianist at Sinatra's Rancho Mirage home. - L.A. Times