BACKSTAGE: Behind the Curtains with the Greatest Entertainers of the 20th Century

by Darryl Vidal, Marty Harrell, James Takatsuka (Editor)

BackStage is a raucously funny, narrative non-fiction compilation of stories, tales, and gems from the Golden Era of entertainment circa 1960 - 1980. The stories are told by the bass trombonist who played in the Tommy Dorsey band, with Frank Sinatra and later toured with Elvis’ Orchestra into the Rock & Roll era and to his end. Marty Harrell was also the best friend and roommate of Frank Sinatra Jr. through their Tommy Dorsey years. The book is filled with tales of the brightest stars of the greatest era of music entertainment during the nascent days of television and new media, and provides a personal perspective of this behind the scenes character - who unknowingly bears witness to the most beloved of the era.These great little gems that have never been told before, range from when Dean Martin called the police on his own party, and when Marty stuffed a potato into the exhaust pipe of Liberace’s mini-Roll Royce on live television. Another favorite is the story of when Elvis kicked a girl out of his hotel room during a Winter storm.This band member also tells stories of the raw talent that could only be appreciated up close and personal, like when Frank Sinatra sight read and sang the song “My Kind of Town Chicago is” perfectly, without ever hearing the melody, or when Elvis, on his last tour, surprised the band by sitting at the piano, and belting out the most amazing performance of “Unchained Melody” without ever rehearsing it with the band.The narrative non-fiction highlights the innocence and nostalgia of the time, while providing a glimpse behind the curtains, and giving personal perspectives of these truly talented and beloved entertainers and how they interacted with the crowds and their talented backup.

134 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2017

About the author

Darryl Vidal is an author, educator, martial arts grandmaster, and publisher whose lifelong mission is to educate, inspire, and preserve the stories that shape America. As the founder of Crane Books LLC, Darryl leads a hybrid publishing company dedicated to helping new authors bring their fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books to life. His catalog includes works on American history, education, and personal development—each written or published with the goal of sparking curiosity and pride in learning.

Darryl is also the co-author of Backstage: Behind the Curtains with the Greatest Entertainers of the 20th Century with Marty Harrell, a captivating first-hand account of the golden age of music and the legends who defined it. Together, they revived the book for a new generation in its 2025 expanded edition, giving readers a front-row seat to stories from the big band era through the rise of Las Vegas entertainment.

In addition to his publishing career, Darryl is a 10th-degree black belt and Grandmaster in Chinese Kenpo Karate, a former consultant for major K–12 school districts, and a lifelong student of history. Through his writing and teaching, he continues to encourage young people to honor America’s past while shaping its future with knowledge, courage, and pride.