Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra

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Biography

Frank Sinatra (born Francis Albert Sinatra, 12.12.1915, died 14.5.1998) Frank Sinatra was an American singer and actor, famous for being a part of the 'Rat Pack'.

Childhood: Frank Sinatra was born to Natalie Della and Anthony Sinatra, in Hoboken, New Jersey. His mother, known as Dolly, ran an illegal abortion business and was twice arrested for it. His father served with the Hoboken Fire Department.

As a teen, Sinatra worked as a delivery boy at the Jersey Observer newspaper. He also had a job as a riveter at the Tietjan and Lang shipyard. In the early 1930s, Frank Sinatra began singing in public.

Music and Movie Career: Frank Sinatra's break came in 1935, when his mother persuaded him to sing with The Three Flashes. When Sinatra joined, they became known as The Hoboken Four. They impressed Edward Bowes enough for him to let them appear on his show Major Bowes Amateur Hour.

In July 1939, Sinatra released his first record, 'From the Bottom of My Heart'. It sold less than 8,000 and is now a sought-after collectors' item. Sinatra then joined Tommy Dorsey's band, one of the most popular bands of the time. His first appearance with the band came in January 1940, at the Coronado Theater in Rockford. The contract that Sinatra signed with Dorsey allowed Dorsey one third of Sinatra's earnings for the whole of Sinatra's career, rendering their relationship a tenuous one. MCA records eventually bought Sinatra out of the contract.

Sinatra's first solo sessions without the Dorsey band were released on the Bluebird label in 1942.

Sinatra's first film appearance came in 1940 with the release of Las Vegas Nights.

During the 1942-3 musicians' recording strike, Frank Sinatra signed a deal with Columbia Records. He eventually recorded a session with Alec Wilder and seven of the tracks became hits.

In 1945, Frank Sinatra went on to co-star with Gene Kelly in Anchors Aweigh. The following year, he released his debut solo album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra. He retained his popularity for some time but by the end of 1948, Sinatra had slipped down Down Beat's annual poll of popular singers, behind Billy Eckstine, Frankie Lane and Bing Crosby. The following year, he teamed up with Gene Kelly twice more, in Take Me Out to the Ball Game and On the Town.

Frank Sinatra took a two-year break from performing. When he returned in 1950, he suffered from a hemorrhaging of his vocal cords at the Copacabana. However, the following year, he made his Las Vegas debut, at the Desert Inn.

His career enjoyed something of a rebirth in 1953 when he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in From Here To Eternity. The film also starred Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Cliff and Deborah Kerr. Throughout the 1950s, Sinatra worked with arrangers such as Billy May, Gordon Jenkins and Nelson Riddle, on some his most popular albums, Frank Sinatra Sings For Only the Lonely, Songs For Swingin' Lovers and Come Fly With Me. Sinatra was vocally critical of rock and roll in the 1950s. He was notable for his criticism of Elvis Presley, though he would later go on to record covers of songs made famous by Elvis, as well as the Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon.

Sinatra started the 1960s well, with the album Nice 'n' Easy topping the US album charts. He formed his own label, Reprise, and released their first album Ring-A-Ding-Ding. He also starred in Ocean's 11, the definitive movie moment for The Rat Pack (in this case: Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Frank Sinatra). The film was later re-made with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.

Sinatra also starred in The Manchurian Candidate, along with Laurence Harvey and Janet Leigh. Quincy Jones (who later worked extensively with Michael Jackson) arranged the album It Might As Well Be Swing for Sinatra.

In 1967, 'Something Stupid', a duet between Frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy Sinatra went to the top of the US Billboard charts. Later that year, he collaborated on Francis A. & Edward K. with Duke Ellington. Paul Anka wrote the song 'My Way' with Sinatra in mind and it became one of his signature tunes.

Despite having announced his retirement in 1971, Sinatra came out of retirement in 1973 to record Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back, an album and accompanying TV special.

1980 saw Sinatra release Trilogy: Past Present Future, a highly ambitious triple album, which was nominated for six Grammy awards. This was followed by She Shot Me Down: another success for the singer.

Sinatra's 75th birthday came in 1990. He celebrated with a national tour and performed with Ella Fitzgerald for the final time when he was awarded the 'Ella Award'. At the 1994 Grammy Awards, Bono of U2 presented him with his Legend Award.

To mark Sinatra's 80th birthday, the Empire State Building glowed blue.

Personal Life: Frank Sinatra married Nancy Barbato in 1939. They divorced in 1951. They had three children together, Nancy, Frank Jr. and Tina.

He was married to Ava Gardner between 1951 and 1957. He then married Mia Farrow in 1966. They split two years later. His final wife was Barbara Marx, to whom he was still married at the time of his death.

Death: Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Mourners at his funeral included Liza Minnelli, Tony Curtis, Faye Dunaway and Jack Nicholson.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Frank Sinatra Jr. Dies Of A Heart Attack At The Age Of 72


Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra Jr., the son of legendary singer Frank Sinatra and a successful artist in his own right, has died of a heart attack on tour at the age of 72.

In a statement released by the Sinatra family, the crooner, who was the son of Frank and his first wife Nancy, suffered a cardiac arrest just hours before he was due to take to the stage and perform at Daytona, Florida on Wednesday night (March 16th).

Although his father discouraged him pursuing a career in the music business because of the immense challenges involved, Sinatra Jr. followed in his footsteps and began his career as a teenager, later becoming his father’s band conductor and musical director.

Continue reading: Frank Sinatra Jr. Dies Of A Heart Attack At The Age Of 72

Frank Sinatra Was Infatuated With Marilyn Monroe, A New Biography Reveals


Frank Sinatra Marilyn Monroe Mia Farrow Ava Gardner

A new Frank Sinatra biography has revealed some interesting details about the crooner’s obsession with Marilyn Monroe and their long, turbulent relationship. New details have come to light suggesting Sinatra was besotted with Monroe and even proposed to her.

Frank Sinatra and Marilyn MonroeFrank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe photographed together in 1962 at Sinatra's house in Nevada.

Read More: Frank Sinatra HBO Documentary All Or Nothing Celebrates Iconic Singer's 100th Birthday.

Continue reading: Frank Sinatra Was Infatuated With Marilyn Monroe, A New Biography Reveals

Anna Johnson - 'Frank Sinatra' press night held at the Palladium in London - Arrivals at The Palladium - London, United Kingdom - Monday 20th July 2015

Frank Sinatra and Anna Johnson

Lady Gaga Receive Contemporary Icon Award Songwriters Hall Fame


Lady GaGa Matt Bomer Frank Sinatra Dolly Parton Van Morrison Fun Stevie Wonder Phil Collins Elton John

Lady GaGa's status as an iconic singer has been confirmed by the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Hall will present Gaga with the Contemporary Icon Award which is presented to a singer "who has attained an iconic status in pop culture".

Lady GagaLady Gaga will receive the Contemporary Icon Award.

Read More: Lady Gaga Lands Guest Starring Role On American Horror Story: Hotel.

Continue reading: Lady Gaga Receive Contemporary Icon Award Songwriters Hall Fame

Frank Sinatra HBO Documentary 'All Or Nothing' Celebrates Iconic Singer's 100th Birthday


Frank Sinatra Mia Farrow Nancy Sinatra Alex Gibney

As one of the most recognisable voices of the 20th century, much has been written about the colourful life of Frank Sinatra in the years since his death in 1998. But this Sunday night (April 5th ) on HBO, Alex Gibney’s latest documentary All Or Nothing will attempt to provide the most in-depth look yet at both the singer’s career and personal life.

Continue reading: Frank Sinatra HBO Documentary 'All Or Nothing' Celebrates Iconic Singer's 100th Birthday

The Wrecking Crew - Featurette And Clips


Through the 1960s, a collection of Los Angeles musicians worked together in order to support acts like The Beach Boys and Frank Sinatra. This group was called The Wrecking Crew, and they created some of the greatest and most influential songs, without receiving any of the credit for it. Beach Boys co-founder, Bryan Wilson, described how they were the most important part of that period in music. A documentary 12 years in the making, sheds some light on some of the unsung heroes of the musical industry in the 1960s.

Continue: The Wrecking Crew - Featurette And Clips

Bob Dylan Says Billionaires Should Solve Unemployment


Bob Dylan Frank Sinatra

Bob Dylan has put forward a solution for unemployment in America – let the billionaires sort it out. In an interview with AARP magazine, the discussion turned to the state of the nation’s job market and the prospects for the future.

“The government's not going to create jobs," he said. "It doesn't have to. People have to create jobs, and these big billionaires are the ones who can do it.” The current situation, in his view, is so bad in some inner city areas that there’s an inevitability of people “turning to alcohol and drugs.”

Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan, pictured here at London's Royal Albert Hall, releases a new album next month

Continue reading: Bob Dylan Says Billionaires Should Solve Unemployment

Dylan O'Sullivan Farrow, Woody Allen's Adoptive Daughter, Pens Open Letter Detailing Alleged Sexual Abuse


Woody Allen Mia Farrow Frank Sinatra

Woody Allen and Mia Farrow's adoptive daughter, Dylan O'Sullivan Farrow, has published an open letter detailing the abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of Allen.

Woody Allen
Woody Allen adopted two children, Dylan and Moses, with Mia Farrow in addition to their biological son.

Farrow and Allen were in a relationship from 1980 and had one biological child, Ronan 'Satchel' Farrow, together and adopted two children, one of whom is Dylan. The couple separated in 1992 when Farrow discovered Allen was having a relationship with her adoptive daughter, Soon-Yi. During the subsequent custody battle, there were a number of allegations made against Allen relating to alleged abuse of then 7-year-old Dylan. The case was brought to court in September 1993 and a number of rulings dismissed Allen's abuse charges, according to The American Law Library. However, the Connecticut State Attorney Frank Maco, announced that he had "probable cause" to prosecute Allen, he was dropping the case in order to protect Dylan from "the trauma of appearing in court."

Continue reading: Dylan O'Sullivan Farrow, Woody Allen's Adoptive Daughter, Pens Open Letter Detailing Alleged Sexual Abuse

Frank Sinatra's Widow: Mia Farrow's Paternity Claims Are "Phony"


Frank Sinatra Mia Farrow Ronan Farrow Ava Gardner Nancy Sinatra Woody Allen

Mia Farrow stated her son Ronan Farrow could "possibly" have been fathered by Frank Sinatra. Farrow, who was married to Sinatra from 1966-68, was in a relationship was in a relationship with Woody Allen at the time of her son's birth. In Vanity Fair's November issue, Farrow and her eight children (biological and adopted) discussed their home life and their relationships with their mother's three partners. 

Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow claims her son Ronan is "possibly" Frank Sinatra's son.

A DNA test to determine Ronan's paternity has never been undertaken, had Sinatra truly been the father of Ronan, he would have been 73 at the time of his birth. Allen responded "The article is so fictitious and extravagantly absurd that he is not going to comment."

Continue reading: Frank Sinatra's Widow: Mia Farrow's Paternity Claims Are "Phony"

Susan Boyle To Record 'Duet' With Elvis Presley For Christmas Album


Susan Boyle Elvis Presley Celine Dion Frank Sinatra

Susan Boyle has already lived out her life-long ambitions by performing alongside the likes of Elaine Paige and Donny Osmond since she was catapulted to stardom through her performance on Britain's Got Talent, and now the Scottish singer will get to fulfil another life-long ambition by performing with The King himself; Elvis Presley.

Susan Boyle
Su-Bo will be achieving a life-long goal by dueting with The King

Su-Bo will release her first Christmas-themed studio album, Home For Christmas, in time for the festive period and has promised no shortage of surprises for the yuletide LP, her fifth album to date. She will become the first British artist to duet with Elvis through the use of studio wizardry on a version of the well-known carol 'Oh Come All Ye Faithful,' the Sunday People first reported this weekend. The self confessed Elvis fanatic admitted to the paper that the singing opportunity is a “dream come true.”

Continue reading: Susan Boyle To Record 'Duet' With Elvis Presley For Christmas Album

Guys And Dolls Remake: Joseph Gordon-Levitt And Channing Tatum In Talks


Joseph Gordon-Levitt Channing Tatum Frank Sinatra Marlon Brando Fox

20th Century Fox has landed the movie rights to Guys and Dolls, the classic movie starring Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando itself based on a successful musical, and will start the process of a remake potentially starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Channing Tatum, according to Deadline.com. A writer and director is yet to be announced, though Fox are keen to pin down its lead stars first.

The remake of the movie is big news in Hollywood, especially among acting circles, where the lead roles are considered the most sought after in the business. A few years it, Harvey Weinstein was close to getting the rights to the movie, with Chicago producers Craig Zadan and Neil Moron producing. Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and even Vin Diesel tossed their hats into the ring for the movie, though the widow of songwriter Frank Loesser didn't find the deal to her liking and declined to sign over the rights.

Now, she appears pretty happy for Fox to take on the story about rogue gamblers and gangsters in the 1920s and 1930s. Nathan Sinatra (Sinatra's role) has a town full of captive gamblers and wants to set up a floating crap game but requires the funds to do it. He bets his friend Sky Masterson (Brando) that he can't get Sarah Brown to go with him to Havana. The role of the love interest will no doubt be the subject of a competitive casting process featuring many of Hollywood's top actresses. 

Continue reading: Guys And Dolls Remake: Joseph Gordon-Levitt And Channing Tatum In Talks

Frank Sinatra - Frank Sinatra wax sculpture New York City, USA - Madame Tussauds wax sculptures of New Jersey music legends are on display at the opening of the Jersey Shore Store Tuesday 28th July 2009

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe

Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe

Frank Sinatra - 42-cent Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp New York City, USA - 42-cent Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp dedication ceremony held at Gotham Hall Tuesday 13th May 2008

Frank Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra

Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra Monday 19th March 2007 at Emmy Awards

Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra

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Frank Sinatra

Date of birth

12th December, 1915

Date of death

14th May, 1998

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Male

Height

1.72






Frank Sinatra Movies

The Wrecking Crew - Featurette And Clips Trailer

The Wrecking Crew - Featurette And Clips Trailer

Through the 1960s, a collection of Los Angeles musicians worked together in order to support...

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