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Frank Sinatra Epitome of American Popular Music

Frank Sinatra is the epitome of American popular music and the recording artist is mentioned in the same line of standards as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The Sinatra myth was constructed around the "American dream" of a successful career, popularity and money, even though he was born into a poor family of Sicilian immigrants. Even as a young professional he had a brush with the stage, once it was his own jazz quartet the Hoboken Four, another in a successful New York orchestra that he performed together with Harry James (in 1939). Sinatra won the greatest popularity in the 40s.

 

As the singer in the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (1940-42), his songs dominated on the American charts. The brilliant career of the handsome Francis Sinatra was "piloted" (which was never confirmed) by the Sicilian family members. "Mafioso Sinatra" as a singer was called in the New York tabloid newspaper, placed a dozen or so hits on different popularity charts, such as the hit "I'll Never Smile Again" that many weeks was number 1 on the weekly "Billboard" charts.

 

Sinatra's radio program "Hit Parade" was the most popular broadcast in the U.S. during the war. When U.S. soldiers returned to their homes, the sweet music of Sinatra has lost its patriotic expression, but despite that, a dozen new songs appeared on bestseller lists.

Speculation about mafia connections and control of the Sicilian family, resulted, during the late 40's, in the collapse of the career of Frank Sinatra. The contract with Capitol Records and the working relationship with jazz big band led by Nelson Riddle was terminated and his style of music and differently and in a more negative light.

Sinatra recorded a lot, performed in a lot of concerts and had given film a try (ex. "Guys and Doll" 1955, "High Society", 1956, "Can-Can", 1960, The Man with the Golden Arms", 1955). Although Sinatra's songs no longer occurred in droves on the charts, he was still recognized as a great singer.

Big hit songs became "Strangers in the Night," "Granada," "Something Stupid" (recorded with his daughter Nancy) and Paul Anka's standard "My Way" (122 weeks on the Billboard charts). An extensive discography included dozens of Sinatra's albums from the mawkish, banal hits, the orchestras of Harry James, the ballad standards to the commercial hits. A perfect example of the universality of his music is the Sinatra album "Frank Sinatra & Sextet-Live in Paris", a concert recording from 1962, during which the singer sings, perfectly his greatest hits: "Chicago", "Imagination", "Moonlight In Vermont", "My Funny Valentine", "Night and Day" and "I've Got You Under My Skin".

 

It was actually the hit "I've Got You Under My Skin" that was the beginning of a chapter in Sinatra's career, because that song created the idea to do a duet and that is how the very successful "Duets" and "Duets 2" albums were created. It was because of one song that he was able to invite to Bono - the lead singer of the rock band U2, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Charles Aznavour, Lisa Minnelli, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Bette Meddler and Diana Ross to sing in duets with Sinatra.

 

Francis Albert Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey, and died on May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles. He was, without a doubt one of the best singers in the world, an absolute superstar of music and film. Although his career on several occasions was met with difficulties and collapses, it was already in the middle of his long career when he was becoming a living legend.

 

His work is divided into several time periods, corresponding to the record companies, that he was a part of (Columbia, Capitol, Reprise, Qwest and Capitol again). Together with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and other fellow celebrities, he had created the legendary Rat Pack - a group of friends appearing together on stage (especially in Vegas), in films, playing together and practicing together (they also gambled together).

 

Sinatra is known as a pop artist, but the vast majority of his work is dominated by jazz and swing. He sang songs that were sometimes later reinterpreted by other great artists, such as "My Way", "Strangers in the Night", "Fly Me to the Moon" and "I've Got You Under My Skin". Frank was also an excellent actor an Oscar winner.

 

He sang almost to the end of his life, though his voice was getting weaker, and the lyrics had to be shown on a teleprompter. His death was a huge event in the U.S. that created a void in the music industry and brought many fans to tears.

On Sinatra's death, something amazing happened - in Las Vegas, all the lights extinguished, as a sign that the king left the city. Also in New York City the Empire State Building lit a blue color (referring to the nickname Sinatra - "Ol 'Blue Eyes").

Sinatra had many nicknames, but most of its position as a lead singer says the nickname "The Voice" - which simply means "voice".

According to legend, Sinatra for much of his life carried, in his pocket a handful of small coins. This started with the kidnapping of his son, when the hijackers ordered that contact be only through telephone booths (requiring coins). Despite the arrest of the kidnappers he still always had coins with him.

Sinatra knew personally almost all the U.S. presidents that held office during his life.

As one of his friends, Sammy Davis Jr. was black; Sinatra worked (and largely succeeded) on the abolition of racial segregation in hotels and casinos in the state of Nevada.

Throughout his life, Sinatra was associated with having contacts with the Mafia, even according to some he was the figurehead Johnny Fontane in The Godfather movies. But no one was ever able to prove these allegations or even display concrete evidence.

 

The last studio albums that Sinatra released were two of the "Duets" series. On these albums he sings with artists such as U2's Bono, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin and Julio Iglesias.

Sinatra died surrounded by his family. His last words were: "I'm losing" ("I'm down").

 

According to legend, Sinatra was buried with the flask of Jack Daniels and a handful of coins.

 

He had three wives; one of them was the actress Mia Farrow.

 

It is difficult to assess the number of CDs recorded and released by Sinatra. Along with edits, compellations and greatest hits, this quantity must be counted in the thousands.

 

Sinatra and his big hit "My Way" created the popular "Sinatra doctrine". It talked about leaving the freedom of the former republics of the USSR ("My Way" - "my way").

 

Today's "Ocean's" movie series is a remake of the movie with Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack of the 60s.

 

The tombstone bears the title of Sinatra, one of his songs - "The Best Is Yet to Come" ("The best still ahead of me"). It is also the last song he has done publicly (three years before his death).

 

He was nervous and despotic, hated photographers, he could be ruthless to his enemies, on the other hand he was a great philanthropist, he bestowed his friends with valuable gifts, he also often selflessly helped strangers.

 

As one of the first stars he had his own jet.

There is a song from Sinatra's early career, which the artist sings partly in Polish.

"Ever Homeward", was many years later dug up from the archives and at the request of Sinatra played during a concert in support of Poland during the Polish martial law of 1981.

The public opinion was informed about Sinatra's death though his family. Placed on the website a statement was printed in an audio file with a very touching song, "Softly as I leave you."

 

Selected discography:

 

A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra (1959),

Sinatra & Basie: An Stories Musical First (1962),

With Frank Sinatra Liza Minnelli & Sammy Davis Junior: Live In Italy'62 (1962),

The Clan in Chicago: Live at Villa Venice'62 (1963, Dean Marlin, Sammy Davis Jr.),

It Might As Well Be Spring (1964),

Frank Sinatra & Count Basie at the Sands (1966),

Ol 'Blue Eyes Is Back (1972),

Radio Days (1987),

Night & Day (1990),

Live At Monte Carlo (1990),

Furans My Valentine (1992),

Frank Sinatra in Concert (1992),

The Classic Years (1992),

Duets (1993),

Duets 2 (1994),

Christmas Sinatra Album (1994),

Frank Sinatra & Sextett In Paris' 62 (1994),

Frank Sinatra Gold De Luxe (1995),

Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra (1996).

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