Frank Sinatra's daughter has staunchly defended her late father's links to the Mafia, insisting all crooners of his era had to build friendships with gangs if they wanted success.

Tina Sinatra is angered by people who criticise her dad for his involvement with the Italian clan, because without the backing of mob bosses, stars like the MY WAY legend, Dean Martin and Bing Crosby would never have wowed crowds in Mafia hotspot Las Vegas and gangster-owned city clubs - and ultimately missed out on global fame.

Tina also blasts the stereotypical images attached to the Mafia, claiming they're generally "fun" people, not cold-blooded killers.

She says, "Dad was connected to the Mafia because they employed him for 20 years of his life, or more; they helped him get started as they helped Dean and Bing to get started.

"You got booked by the club owners and that's who the club owners were. They also started a little endeavour called Las Vegas.

"I think we've given the Mafia a bum rap. They were, for the most part, probably a bunch of fun guys. It's the ones that killed that weren't so great - they took it a little too far.

"But if you asked Dad about the Mafia, he always said, 'Yeah, I'm involved - I drove the getaway car.'"

08/11/2004 14:18