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Video: Second Ave Subway Construction Worker Sings Sinatra
By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 2, 2011
Modified Aug 2, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Aug 2, 2011
Modified Aug 2, 2011
Share
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Last week a reader sent us a photo of a Second Avenue Subway sandhog singing Frank Sinatra hits during his lunch break. Now video of his act has surfaced, and we defy you not to love this guy. His name is Gary Russo from Queens, and the sign behind him explains, "Forget all the noise, traffic and the impact of the 2nd Ave. Subway. Enjoy the music." After singing a surprisingly transporting rendition of Sinatra's "Summer Wind," Russo explains why he's out there:
"We're trying to give back a little bit, you know know? Lunchtime," Russo says with a smile to the camera. And in an interview with the Post, he adds, "We've infected this neighborhood with noise. I'd be up in arms, too." To make up for the cacophony, Russo lugs his karaoke equipment all the way from Queens each day, and spends his 30 minute lunch break singing for the neighborhood. David Fischer, the YouTube user who shot the video, says, "He puts everyone in a good mood. This 80-year-old guy just grabbed this, like, 25-year-old girl and started dancing with her."
Tagged
2nd avenue subway
construction
frank sinatra
gary russo
MTA
second avenue subway
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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