Author Description

Francis Albert Sinatra, born Hoboken, New Jersey, USA, on December 12th, 1915, was a singer, actor, and producer, who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He was one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide. Born to Italian immigrants, Sinatra began his musical career in the swing era, with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra found success as a solo artist after he signed with Columbia Records in 1943, becoming the idol of the "bobby soxers". He released his debut album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, in 1946. Sinatra's professional career had stalled by the early 1950s, so he turned to Las Vegas, where he became one of its best known performers, as part of the 'Rat Pack'. His career was reborn in 1953, with the success of From Here to Eternity, his performance winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Sinatra released several critically acclaimed albums, including In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956), Come Fly with Me (1958), Only the Lonely (1958) and Nice 'n' Easy (1960). Sinatra left Capitol in 1960 to start his own record label, Reprise Record then released a string of successful albums. In 1965, he recorded the retrospective September of My Years, starred in the Emmy-winning television special Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music then released the tracks "Strangers in the Night" and "My Way". After releasing Sinatra at the Sands, recorded at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Vegas, with frequent collaborator Count Basie in early 1966, the following year he recorded one of his most famous collaborations with Tom Jobim, the album Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim, which was followed by 1968's collaboration with Duke Ellington. Sinatra retired for the first time in 1971, but came out of retirement two years later, recording several albums and resuming performing at Caesars Palace, befor