Frank Sinatra was born 100 years ago on December 12, 1915.
“Throughout Frank’s life, no one even resembled him,” writes Charles Pignone, author of the newly released Sinatra 100 – the official centenary book. “Time only increases his importance and stature. Frank Sinatra’s music is still relevant,” adds Pignone. “He conquered every medium— television, recording, films,” Tony Bennett said after Sinatra’s death. “He was just born for what he did.”
Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra almost died during childbirth – the doctor had trouble removing the 13½ pound baby from his mother, scarring him with forceps and puncturing his eardrum. Frank’s grandmother noticed the baby wasn’t breathing and held him under cold running water until he finally began to cry. Frank Sinatra left high school during his senior year, worked as a newspaper delivery boy and then as a riveter at a shipyard. But he knew he wanted to be a singer after seeing Bing Crosby at Loew’s Journal Square in New Jersey.
Earlier this year, The Washington Post published an article by Geoff Edgers entitled “Why Frank Sinatra Still Matters.” Edgers writes, “What’s most startling, when you focus on Frank, is how ever-present he is 17½ years after his death. He came from a different world. He was born before TV, before radio to a pair of Italian immigrants. He grew up in Hoboken, dropped out of high school and then, after working an odd job or two, scored a recording contract with bandleader Harry James. That led to the Tommy Dorsey band, fame and the first stage of his career as the baby-faced big-band crooner.”
Frank’s first U.S. Billboard #1 came in 1940 when he left Harry James to join with Tommy Dorsey. The song, I’ll Never Smile Again, held the #1 spot for 12 weeks. His first high-profile solo performance was a run of shows at New York’s Paramount Theater in 1942, opening for Benny Goodman (this was the first time he was labeled as “The Voice”). The audience of teenaged bobby-soxers went wild – an early sign of the fan hysteria that would follow him. In fact, Frank Sinatra caused what is known as the Columbus Day Riots in 1944, a mass hysteria by tens of thousands of bobby-soxers in New York that had to be broken up by the NYPD.
But soon enough things began to come apart, including his first marriage and his singing career; Columbia Records cut him loose in 1952. There were no more screaming bobby-soxers following his every move.
Frank Sinatra’s luck changed again after he won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 1953’s From Here to Eternity. “He signed with Capitol Records and reinvented himself,” writes Edgers. In the end, Frank enjoyed a nine-decade career of great success.
The “Rat Pack” was born in 1960 as Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford starred in the film Ocean’s 11. They also performed in Las Vegas during filming in an iconic run of shows known as The Summit at The Sands.
Frank Sinatra had many love affairs with famous women and married four times: Nancy Barbato (1939–51), Ava Gardner (1951–57), Mia Farrow (1966–68) and Barbara Marx (1976–98). He has three children: Nancy, Frank Jr. and Tina.
Frank made his final live performance in Palm Desert in 1995 at the age of 79, before an invited VIP audience on the last day of the Frank Sinatra Desert Classic golf tournament. His final encore was The Best Is Yet to Come.
Frank Sinatra passed away from a heart attack on May 14, 1998. He was 82 years old. To this day, Frank’s version of New York, New York is played every New Year’s Eve in Times Square and at every New York Yankees home game.
Frank Sinatra’s lasting legacy demonstrates his remarkable ability to appeal to every generation. He is known as one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century; his artistry still influences many of today’s musical superstars. And many former bobby-soxers still count themselves as fans.
MORE INFORMATION
• Throughout his long career, Frank Sinatra performed on more than 1,400 recordings and was awarded 31 gold, nine platinum, three double platinum and one triple platinum album by the Recording Industry Association of America. This year’s new Ultimate Sinatra release extends his record to 57 for the most top 40 albums on the Billboard 200.
• Frank Sinatra received nine GRAMMY Awards and an Oscar. Frank Sinatra appeared in more than 60 films and produced eight motion pictures.
• Sinatra was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy. He received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.
• Today, Frank Sinatra remains a legend and an inspiration around the world for his contributions to culture and the arts.
For more information about Frank Sinatra, visit http://www.sinatra.com. Much of the information from this article were gathered from sinatra.com
