I like nothing better than a good obituary and last week the Times carried an absolute belter devoted to Francis Salemme, a mafioso boss, who had the wonderful nickname “Cadillac Frank”. Among his associates and family were Stephen “the Rifleman” Flemmi, Frank “Frankie Boy” Salemme and Robert “the Cigar” DeLuca.
It reminded me of one of the best lines ever written. It was in a biography of Al Capone and the time he was banged up. The governor, clearly a tolerant type, allowed Capone to form a band. And the line? “Sitting in on drums was Machine Gun Kelly.” Perfect. The mob does have the best nicknames.
