Frank Sinatra

Lore & Background

Born to Italian immigrants in Hoboken, New Jersey, Sinatra began his musical career in the swing era. He joined the Harry James band as the vocalist in 1939 before signing with Columbia Records four years later and becoming the idol of the "bobby soxers". In 1946, Sinatra released his debut album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra. He then signed with Capitol Records and released several albums with arrangements by Nelson Riddle, notably In the Wee Small Hours (1955) and Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956). In 1960, Sinatra left Capitol Records to start his own record label, Reprise Records, releasing a string of successful albums. He collaborated with Count Basie on Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First (1962) and It Might as Well Be Swing (1964). In 1965, he recorded September of My Years and starred in the Emmy-winning television special Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music. After releasing Sinatra at the Sands in 1966, Sinatra recorded one of his most famous collaborations with Tom Jobim, Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was followed by 1968's Francis A. & Edward K. with Duke Ellington. Sinatra retired in 1971 following the release of "My Way" but came out of retirement two years later. He recorded several albums and released "New York, New York" in 1980. Sinatra is among the world's best-selling music artists, with an estimated 150 million record sales globally. Sinatra also forged a highly successful acting career. After winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity (1953), he starred in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) and The Manchurian Candidate (1962). Sinatra also appeared in musicals such as On the Town (1949); Guys and Dolls (1955); High Society (1956); and Pal Joey (1957), the last of which won him a Golden Globe Award. Toward the end of his career, Sinatra frequently played detectives, including the title character in Tony Rome (1967) and the titular The Detective (1968). He received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1971. Sinatra also directed the anti-war drama None but the Brave (1965). On television, The Frank Sinatra Show began on CBS in 1950, and Sinatra continued to make appearances on television throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Sinatra was recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1983, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985, and received the Congressional Gold Medal in 199

Reader's Guide

Sinatra attended A. J. Demarest High School in 1931, where he arranged bands for school dances, but left without graduating after having attended only 47 days before being expelled for "general rowdiness". He later enrolled at Drake Business School but departed after 11 months. His mother then found him work as a delivery boy at the Jersey Observer newspaper, where his godfather was employed, and he later labored as a riveter at a shipyard. During this period, he began performing in local Hoboken social clubs and sang for free on radio stations in Jersey City. His professional music career began in the swing era, first joining the Harry James band as a vocalist in 1939. He signed with Columbia Records four years later, becoming an idol to "bobby soxers". His debut album, *The Voice of Frank Sinatra*, was released in 1946. He later moved to Capitol Records, where he worked with arranger Nelson Riddle on landmark albums such as *In the Wee Small Hours* and *Songs for Swingin' Lovers!*. In 1960, he founded his own label, Reprise Records, and released a string of successful albums, including collaborations with Count Basie and Tom Jobim. He also forged a highly successful acting career, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for *From Here to Eternity* and starring in films like *The Man with the Golden Arm* and *The Manchurian Candidate*. He directed the anti-war drama *None but the Brave* and appeared in numerous musicals and television specials. Sinatra retired in 1971 after releasing "My Way" but returned two years later, continuing to record and releasing "New York, New York" in 1980. He is recognized as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with an estimated 150 million records sold globally, and received numerous honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and 13 Grammy Awards.

Did You Know?

• Sinatra weighed 13.5 pounds at birth and had to be delivered with forceps, causing scarring and lifelong damage to his left eardrum.
• He never learned to read music but learned by ear.
• His first solo studio recording was "Our Love" in March 1939.
• Sinatra earned 13 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Legend Award.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"What I do with my life is of my own doing. I live it the best way I can." — Frank Sinatra "If I had as many love affairs as you've given me credit for, I would now be speaking to you from a jar at the Harvard Medical School." — Frank Sinatra "Pop Chronicles: Show 22 - Smack Dab in the Middle on Route 66: A skinny dip in the easy listening mainstream. (Part 1), 1965." — Frank Sinatra "I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living his life, and who had good friends, a fine family. I don't think I could ask for anything more than that, actually." — Frank Sinatra