Frank Sinatra

Francis Albert Sinatra (born December 12, 1915 died May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor and is, with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles, one of the top five American popular musicians of the 20th century.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey as the son of a quiet father and a talented, tempestuous mother, Sinatra rose to fame as a singer with Tommy Dorsey's band when his vast appeal to the "bobbie soxers", as teenagers were called revealed a whole new audience for popular music, which had generally appealed mainly to adults up to that time. He was the first teen idol.

He later recorded as a solo artist with some success, but his career was in eclipse in the late 40s and early 50s when he made a spectacular comeback as a film actor in "From Here to Eternity". He later appeared in many films, the most notable being "The Man with the Golden Gun", and "The Manchurian Candidate.

His voice is instantly recognizable, and in its prime could evoke not only great strength and charisma, but nostalgia and tenderness as well. Sinatra had good taste in songs, and excellent taste in arrangers.

Sinatra died in 1998 and is buried in the Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, Palm Springs, California.

Probably ought to say something about The Rat Pack here, too.

Notable Songs

New York, New York

Day and Night

This lady is a tramp

Come rain or come shine

(a long list here)

Albums

Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music

Trilogy

Duets

Films

From Here to Eternity (Academy Award, best supporting actor)

The Manchurian Candidate

Ocean's Eleven

Pal Joey

Around the World in Eighty Days (uncredited cameo as piano player)

Von Ryan's Express

(many more)