The Life of Frank Sinatra
Ta-Layza C Miller
Winston-Salem State University

Abstract
Francis Albert Sinatra, better known as Frank Sinatra was one of the most famous American singers during his era. He was not only a singer but also a motion-picture actor. Sinatra appeared in fifty-eight films and won an Academy Award for his role in From Here to Eternity. His career started in the 1930s and continued into the 1990s. For music inspiration Sinatra was influenced by Billie Holiday (1915-1959) and Bing Crosby (1903–1977). He knew that he had wanted to become a singer so when the time came he dropped out of high school and began to sing at small clubs. Sinatra tried many different things for example, joined big bands until he decided to break away and become a solo artist. There are many artists who go downhill during their career, but there are not many who re-invent themselves and revive their career more than once. He did not gain the nicknames “The Sultan of Swoon,” “The Voice,” “Ol’ Blue Eyes” and many more for nothing. Frank Sinatra is said to be one of the best and today people still speak about him because of his legacy. Frank Sinatra was not just a singer and actor, he was said to be a legend.

Francis (Frank) Albert Sinatra born was on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was the only child of Italian immigrants Martin and Natalie "Dolly" Sinatra. Frank had some complications when he was being born. Born at thirteen and a half pounds doctors had to use forceps, which they tugged away, ripping and scarring Frank’s ear, cheek, neck, and puncturing his eardrum (n.d.). It took about three months for the wounds to heal. Frank’s first experience with music came about when his uncle gave him a ukulele, and at nights he would go outside and sing while playing the instrument. Also, while growing up his other interest was boxing. He had to protect himself in the tough neighborhood that he grew up in. He became a competent boxer. In high school he was a generous but aggressive; therefore, he was likely to fight (n.d.). While growing up them were the traits he would carry with him throughout his life.
Frank was one of those people who learned music by ear and never knew how to read music. Early in his life Sinatra knew he wanted to become a singer. He dropped out of high school and began singing at small clubs. Sinatra got his big break on the radio talent show Major Bowes and his Amateur Hour in 1935. He was singing in a group called the Hoboken Four. At this time Sinatra sang in various New Jersey nightclubs, hoping to attract the attention of "Swing Era" bandleaders (n.d.). He began his career in the “Swing Era” with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey.
At the end of 1942 Sinatra broke away and began his solo career which sprouted. The way Sinatra would dress with his wide-shouldered suits and his bow ties were imitated by many men. However, his most passionate followers were teenaged girls, nicknamed "bobby-soxers,” for the ankle-high socks they wore (n.d.). Bobby-soxers were usually teenage girls and young adult women whose ages ranged from 12 to 25. They were fashionable adolescent girls who wore poodle skirts and rolled their socks down to their ankle. His widespread appeal was increased by America's explosive mass media growth in newspapers, magazines, films, record players, and radio stations.
During the 1950s rumors started to spread claiming that Sinatra was connected to the Mafia, which were organized crimes (n.d.). The allegations of the activity he was involved in were never proven, and no criminal charges were ever made. He also received bad publicity from the brawls he had come encountered with customers and reporters. During this time Sinatra was not only recording records. He recorded albums around a central theme with a large collection of songs or ballads. From the time of 1957 through 1966 he had twenty-seven Top Ten albums without producing one Top Ten single (n.d.).
Sinatra's hits in the 1960s included "It Was a Very Good Year" and "Strangers in the Night" (1966). He had reached the top of the singles charts in a duet, "Somethin' Stupid," with his daughter Nancy in 1967 (n.d.). Sinatra continued to play in several movies. After Sinatra's famous recording of "My Way" (1969), he made an ill-fated attempt to sing some of the lighter tunes of modern rock composers. He then was led to a brief retirement from entertainment (1971 through 1973). By 1994 Sinatra was experiencing memory lapses, but that did not keep him from performing publicly. He merely added the use of a prompter to remind him of the lyrics. After celebrating his eightieth birthday at a public tribute, new packages of recordings were released and became instant best-sellers. But Sinatra's health continued to decline in the 1990s. On May 14, 1998, Sinatra died in the arms of his wife, Barbara Sinatra, of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California.
Frank Sinatra inspired many people, especially through the obstacles that he had overcome. The fact that he is still talked upon this day is wonderful. It shows that his music impacted many. He has made a mark on his name and left a great legacy behind.

Works Cited
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2015, from http://acculturated.com/the-complicated-legacy-of-frank-sinatra/