Ol’ Blue Eyes lived on Nov. 9 as Steve Lippia paid homage to the original Rat Pack voice of Frank Sinatra. Lippia’s performance “Simply Sinatra” relived many of Sinatra’s classics for a 200-plus audience.

“This is America’s music but it’s how Frank Sinatra presented the music that made him popular,” Lippia said to the crowd.

Covering such hits as “I’ve Got the World on a String,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “That’s Life,” Lippia engaged even those not familiar with the big band swing Sinatra bellowed to his adoring fans.

Sinatra’s popularity came from his arrangement of the music. He created a song with such feeling that it captured the fans and gave another dimension to the lyrics, Lippia said.

Lippia’s mother was influential in his decision to pursue music. His mother had a brief musical career before marrying and starting a family. Although preferring rock music, his mother slowly opened the door to Sinatra in Lippia’s life. Lippia embraced the jazzy stylings of Sinatra and began singing his music at an early age.

“I am not really familiar with a lot of big band music, but I have a lot of memories of my grandmother telling me about dancing to different groups when they would come to her area,” Ashlee Hilton-Bean, freshman pre-medicine biology major, said. “It made me connect more with her generation, to see them in their youth, so to speak.”

Lippia has been performing for nine years on a full-time basis. His performances also include rock inspiration, Tony Bennett.

“The songs that Sinatra sung were part of the great American songbook,” John Hassig, director of performing and visual arts programs and facilities, said.

“It’s one part entertainment and one part history lesson when you see Steve perform.”

Lippia lives in Las Vegas, Nev. with his wife and children. More information can be found on his Web site at stevelippia.com.