The Life and Career of Frank Sinatra

The opportunity of a lifetime came when he joined Tommy Dorsey’s band later that year. Dorsey’s swing ensemble was one of the era’s most popular bands and gave Sinatra much-needed exposure. In one year alone, they released over forty songs, including the high-charting single, “I’ll Never Smile Again.”

Sinatra left the band in 1942, amid rumors that his alleged mafia ties allowed him to be released from his contract. In actuality, the MCA talent agency had bought out his contract, though the mafia story was later dramatized in 1972 film, “The Godfather.”

Sinatra’s popularity soared, especially among teenage girls known as bobby soxers. It was at this point his new label, Columbia Records, released “All or Nothing at All.” The single hit number two and sold millions of copies.

It was also during the 1940s that Sinatra kicked off his acting career. He starred in three movies with Gene Kelly: “Anchors Aweigh,” “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and “On the Town.” Sinatra also shared an Honorary Academy Award with his fellow cast and crew of the short film, “The House I Live In” for its message against racism. Sinatra was always a strong proponent of equal rights for African Americans, eventually playing a number of benefit shows for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Meanwhile, Sinatra’s first solo record, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, came out in 1946. Nevertheless, by the end of 1948 his career began to decline. Though he performed a couple of shows and hosted the television series “The Frank Sinatra Show” in the early ‘50s, he was dropped by Columbia in 1952.

His career was reignited in 1953 with his Oscar-winning performance in the drama, “From Here to Eternity,” followed by a role in the 1955 musical, “Guys and Dolls.” Next up were some extremely successful years with Capitol Records that showcased different sides of Sinatra.

1955’s In the Wee Small Hours and 1958’s Frank Sinatra Sings For Only the Lonely, were more emotional albums, and featured the tracks, “Angel Eyes” and “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road).” Alternately, more up-tempo records were 1956’s Songs for Swingin’ Lovers, featuring the signature song, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and the 1957 album Come Fly With Me.

After the release of 1960’s Nice ‘n’ Easy, Sinatra left Capitol. He formed his own label, Reprise Records, under which he released another successful album, 1961’s Ring-A-Ding-Ding. In 1965, he released two Grammy-winning records, September of My Years and A Man and His Music.

Strangers in the Night and That’s Life came the next year, and were both successful. In 1967, he recorded sessions with Antonio Carlos Jobim and released a duet with his daughter, Nancy, called “Somethin’ Stupid,” which topped the charts. My Way followed in 1969, with the album’s title track eventually becoming Sinatra’s theme song.

Sinatra did not neglect his acting career during these years. As a member of the Rat Pack, he appeared in such notable films as “Ocean’s 11” and “Sergeants 3,” while continuing his work outside the group in “The Manchurian Candidate.” After fans overlooked an ambitious concept record in 1970 called Watertown, Frank Sinatra announced his retirement in June 1971.

It was just two years later that Sinatra came out of retirement with the successful album, Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back. He resumed playing live shows, including a Madison Square Garden set that was later released as the album, The Main Event – Live.

1980’s Trilogy: Past Present Future was a Grammy-nominated triple album that spawned another trademark tune, “Theme from New York, New York.” This was followed by two critically praised records, 1981’s She Shot Me Down and 1984’s L.A. Is My Lady.

Despite his failing health in the early 1990s, Sinatra continued to tour and released two albums: 1993’s Duets and 1994’s Duets II. However, his trouble with senile dementia and a heart attack in 1997 forced him to stop making public appearances. Then, on May 14th, 1998, he died after suffering another heart attack at the age of 82.

A look at Sinatra’s life would not be complete without a look at his personal life. The Voice was romantically linked to such starlets as Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, Juliet Prowse and Angie Dickinson. His first marriage was to Nancy Barbato, and this union produced three children, Nancy, Frank Jr. and Tina. An affair with Ava Gardner resulted in a divorce from Barbato, and Gardner eventually became his second wife. His third marriage was to Mia Farrow, and finally Barbara Marx was his wife until his death.

Frank Sinatra’s talent and charm enabled him to make a lasting contribution to American culture. He set the bar for those after him and was truly one of a kind.