Frank Sinatra

Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – 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. Indeed he is one of the top musicians of the 20th century.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, Sinatra decided to become a singer after hearing Bing Crosby on the radio. He began singing in small clubs in New Jersey and soon attracted the attention of trumpeter and band-leader Harry James.

After some time, he joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra where he rose to fame as a singer. His vast appeal to teenagers found 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 great success. His career continued 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, for example The Man with the Golden Arm, and The Manchurian Candidate.

Sinatra debuted with the Tommy Dorsey orchestra on February 2, 1940. By the 1960s he was a big enough star to start his own record label: Reprise Records.

In the 1950s and 60s, Sinatra was a popular attraction in Las Vegas. He was friends with many other entertainers, including Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. Some people say he was good friends with the Italian mafia in the USA.

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. He is particularly noted for his careful choice of song lyrics.

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

Notable Songs

Theme from New York, New York

Night and Day

Come Rain or Come Shine

Love and Marriage

It Could Happen to You

Three Coins in a Fountain

Fly Away with Me

Chicago

You Make Me Feel So Young

Strangers in the Night

Let's Fall in Love

Albums

Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music

Trilogy

Duets

Songs for Swingin Lovers

Films

From Here to Eternity

The Man with the Golden Arm

Ocean's Eleven

Around the World in Eighty Days

Von Ryan's Express

Suddenly

Higher and Higher

Christmas Waltz Lyrics

Frosted windowpanes Candies gleaming inside Painted candy canes on the tree Santa's on his way He's filled his sleigh with things Things for you and me It's that time of year When the world falls in love Ev'ry song you hear seems to say, "Merry Christmas, May your New Year dreams come true" And this song of mine In three-quarter time Wishes you and yours the same thing, too

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