Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra
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Name	Frank Sinatra
Caption	Sinatra in 1957
Birth name	Francis Albert Sinatra
Birth date	12 December 1915
Birth place	Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.
Death date	14 May 1998
Death place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, actor, producer
Years active	1935–1995
Spouse	Nancy Barbato (1939–1951), Ava Gardner (1951–1957), Mia Farrow (1966–1968), Barbara Marx (1976–1998)
Children	3, including Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Jr.
Awards	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (1954), Presidential Medal of Freedom (1985), Congressional Gold Medal (1997)

Frank Sinatra. An iconic American singer and actor, he is considered one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century. His career spanned six decades, beginning in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey before achieving unprecedented solo success. Known as "Ol' Blue Eyes" and "The Chairman of the Board," his artistry in popular song and his work in Hollywood left an indelible mark on global culture.

Early life and career

Born to Italian immigrants in Hoboken, New Jersey, he was influenced by the vocal styles of Bing Crosby and Billie Holiday. After singing in local venues, his big break came in 1939 when he joined the Harry James orchestra, quickly moving to the more prominent Tommy Dorsey band. His tenure with Tommy Dorsey honed his phrasing and breath control, techniques that became hallmarks of his style. Early solo recordings for Bluebird Records and performances at New York's Paramount Theatre began to generate significant fan interest, particularly among teenage audiences.

Rise to fame and the Columbia years

Launching his solo career in 1943, he signed with Columbia Records and became a cultural phenomenon during the World War II era, earning the nickname "The Voice." His performances at the Paramount Theatre incited scenes of mass hysteria, dubbed "Sinatramania." Key recordings from this period include "All or Nothing at All" and "I'll Never Smile Again." He also began a prolific film career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, starring in musicals like *Anchors Aweigh* with Gene Kelly. However, by the early 1950s, his popularity waned due to vocal cord hemorrhage, publicized romantic affairs, and the rise of new singers like Perry Como.

The Capitol years and career resurgence

A dramatic comeback was engineered in 1953 with an Academy Award-winning supporting role in *From Here to Eternity*. He then signed with Capitol Records, entering an artistically fertile period marked by collaborations with arranger Nelson Riddle. This era produced seminal concept albums like *In the Wee Small Hours* and *Songs for Swingin' Lovers!*, which refined the LP record as an artistic statement. His mature "swinging" persona was cemented with classic recordings such as "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Come Fly with Me," re-establishing him as a top-selling artist and a defining voice of the Great American Songbook.

The Rat Pack and later career

In the late 1950s and 1960s, he became the leader of the Rat Pack, a group of entertainers including Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop. Their performances at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas and films like *Ocean's 11* epitomized a sleek, mid-century cool. He founded his own label, Reprise Records, in 1961, releasing hits like "Strangers in the Night" and "My Way." Later decades saw successful concert tours at major venues like Madison Square Garden and collaborations with artists from Count Basie to Quincy Jones, maintaining his status as a premier live performer.

Personal life and legacy

His tumultuous personal life included marriages to Nancy Barbato, Ava Gardner, Mia Farrow, and finally Barbara Marx. He was known for associations with figures like John F. Kennedy and alleged connections to organized crime, which were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A noted philanthropist, he supported causes like racial equality. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ronald Reagan and a Congressional Gold Medal. His death in 1998 was met with global mourning, and his legacy endures through his vast influence on subsequent vocalists from Tony Bennett to Harry Connick Jr..

Discography and filmography

His extensive discography includes over 60 studio albums for labels like Columbia Records, Capitol Records, and Reprise Records, with iconic songs spanning "Fly Me to the Moon" and "New York, New York." His film career comprised more than 50 movies, earning critical acclaim for dramatic turns in *The Man with the Golden Arm* and *The Manchurian Candidate*, alongside popular musicals. Major awards include an Academy Award, Golden Globe Awards, and multiple Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Legend Award.

Category:American male singers Category:20th-century American actors