Obituaries

Drink To The Memory of Mel Arnold

Mel Arnold.
Mel Arnold.

Hey bartender, let’s have one in memory of one of the last of his breed. The Tribune notes the passing of Arnold Melchior, professionally known as Mel Arnold, who sang Tony Bennett-style for 30 years at Jack Gibbons Gardens, a steakhouse and cocktail lounge in south suburban Oak Forest which has been around since 1922. In all, his showbiz career ran 62 years before he retired last year, and included such anything-to-keep-working gigs as touring with polka king Frankie Yankovic and the country music duo Homer and Jethro. He had a day job for many years with a liquor distributor, but every Friday and Saturday night he could be found at Jack Gibbons Gardens, greeting customers by name and belting out the good old good ones. Set ‘em up Joe, and in the memory of Mel Arnold, give us one for our baby, and one more for the road. [Tribune]

Drink To The Memory of Mel Arnold