Frank+Sinatra

Edited by: Stephenie
[|Frank Sinatra]

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= = = = = Frank Sinatra: "The Voice" of America =

Singing
Frank Sinatra’s singing career was a classic rags to riches story. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey living a lonely life with no siblings and little time with his parents, Frank Sinatra found a love of singing at a young age in his parent’s bar. He slowly made his way up from there, first in a group called the Hoboken Four who were discovered on the radio. He was soon discovered by big band leader Harry James, and he became his male vocalist. Then Sinatra had his big break when he was discovered by another big band leader Tommy Dorsey. This was the time where Sinatra developed his distinct crooning blues-like style. Sinatra said, “That gave the melody a flowing, unbroken quality and that’s what made me sound so different." (Biography 101). He Dorsey taught him breathing techniques that helped him sing fluidly and tell a story with his music. Then Sinatra made a move that changed the musical world; he went solo. Sinatra immediately became a sensation and the first teen idol. His smooth style told a story to lonely girls who’s husbands were away in WWII. The bobby-sox girls screamed his name, and Sinatra became the first vocalist star. He had such an attractive style and such a following that he was nicknamed "The Voice". However, his career soon took a turn for the worse when his image was corrupted by mafia associations and the divorce of his wife. WWII ended, and it seemed that Sinatra’s career had ended. But then Sinatra made the most astounding recovery ever before seen in the world of entertainment. Sinatra signed a record deal with Capitol Label records, and began his singing career again. He made longer albums that included songs such as //Songs for Young Lovers//, and //Swing Easy// that expressed his distinct crooning style. He sang about love, the good and the bad, and it spoke to people. Sinatra was back on the scene. Then in 1971, music had changed, and Sinatra felt that he no longer had something to offer to the musical world, so he announced his retirement. But his retirement didn’t last long, and he soon made another comeback in two years with //Ol’ Blue Eyes is Back// and then //Frank Sinatra: Duets// in 1993. Sinatra proved to the world that he could sing with the modern artists. His singing career set a new standard for vocalists, and created a new easy, crooning musical style that generations more would enjoy. (Biography Today 97-112)

[|Sinatra at the Piano]

Acting
Frank Sinatra had a successful acting career, and he had a face for the camera. His acting career really took off in the movie //Anchors Aweigh// with Gene Kelley. Sinatra won an Academy Award for his short film //The House I Live In.// This movie showed Sinatra asking the public to be religiously and racially tolerant. Then after his career collapsed, he made his comeback in the film //From Here to Eternity.// He won the award for Best Supporting Actor. His acting was full of expression, and the camera loved him. "Movies were the vehicle through which Sinatra rose from the depths... Sinatra was a dramatic actor and one whom... the camera loved." (Nelson). (Nelson)

[[image:Kelly,_Sinatra.jpg width="183" height="153"]]
[|Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra]

Influence on Culture
Frank Sinatra’s most amazing legacy was his impact on popular culture and society. Sinatra was the first teen idol. He brought romance into the entertainment industry. Listeners flocked to him not just because of his music, but because of his young, family-oriented appeal. Sinatra was also the first person to connect entertainment and politics. He campaigned for President Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan. “Celebrities look to politicians to validate them as part of the company of serious men and women, and politicians look to celebrities to validate them as part of the company of the famous" (Nelson). Frank Sinatra ended the big band era with his solo vocals, made entertainment about image as well as talent, and made entertainers public figures that were expected to be involved in all parts of society. He truly changed the musical world. (Nelson)

[|Frank and Barbara Sinatra]

= __Sinatra and Society__ =


 * ** Social **

[|Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra] || ** Political **

[|Sinatra responding to questions about Mafia] || ** Economic **



[|Sinatra on the radio] || immigrant family. During this time Italians were the most poorly treated group of immigrants, so to fit in, Sinatra's family owned an Irish pub that played music. Sinatra often sang as a young boy in his parents' pub, and this began his love of singing. (Biography Today 98) || -World War II was an important aspect of Frank Sinatra's career because this left many lonely women at home without their husbands and father's, and they loved Sinatra because he presented an appealing image of a wholesome husband and father. (Nelson) || - Sinatra grew up in a poor household. He was not used to fame and fortune, and therefore had to make a name for himself. He did not see much of his family because they were struggling to provide for the family. (Encyclopedia Britannica) || the Big Bands were in style. This allowed Sinatra to work as a vocalist in a band where the band leader was the real star until he made a name for himself and felt adequate to go solo. He learned important singing techniques during this time, especially from popular band leader Tommy Dorsey. (Biography Today 100) || - Sinatra campaigned heavily for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This gave him publicity and showed the world that he was a well-rounded individual who was interested in the country's affairs and well-being. (Nelson) || -Sinatra's career occurred in a tumultuous economy. Jobs were harder to find in the beginning of his career in the Great Depression, and making it as a singer was not an easy career during that time. He was committed to music, and slowly moved his way up in the musical world. (Nelson) || not the status quo of the time period. He was married three times, and his unstable relationships brought him negative publicity. It also hurt his image as the husband and father role model. (Encyclopedia Britannica) || -Sinatra also endorsed President John. F. Kennedy. He was a democratic activist at this point, and campaigned for them based on their appeal to average families. (Biography Today 109) || - Sinatra did defied the status quo in his career. Most of the youth in the neighborhood he grew up in became factory workers, as jobs were scarce, but Sinatra developed a love for singing, and he was determined to make that his career. (Biography Today 98) || singers and dancers in their films, and usually that was what made an actor famous. This is what happened to Frank Sinatra as he made a name for himself. (Nelson) || -When Ronald Reagan ran for president Sinatra became a republican activist and endorsed him. He was invited to the White House many times by Reagan, and Reagan awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contribution to American music and society. (Encyclopedia Britannica) || - The hard economic times made people of the era desperate for an escape. Sinatra's music spoke to people and allowed them to escape from the daily struggle for money and to find a job. He was an idol and someone to look up to in a time of troubles. (Nelson) || albums." They included more than one song and allowed Sinatra to tell a story with his music, which suited his lyrical style. (Biography Today 105) || -During this time period, the mob was a prominent force in the political world, and Sinatra was involved. He was often accused of correspondence with the mafia, and was even seen with mob bosses on a number of occasions. He used his influence in the mafia to physically harm people who he had disagreements with. (Biography Today 109) || - Sinatra became involved in Las Vegas gambling in the 1960's. He bought the Sands Hotel and began building an entertainment empire. (Encyclopedia Britannica) ||
 * - Frank Sinatra grew up in an Italian
 * -When Sinatra first began singing professionally
 * -Sinatra's married life was turbulent and
 * - During this time, the movie industry valued
 * -- Sinatra's style suited the new invention "concept

"The Voice"

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= Quiz = 1. What was Frank Sinatra's first singing experience?
 * a) In his father's band.
 * b) In the Irish Pub his parent's owned.
 * c) In the Hoboken Four.

2. Who was the Big Band leader that Sinatra sang for that helped Sinatra with his breathing techniques?
 * a) Tommy Dorsey
 * b) Bing Crosby
 * c) Harry James

3. Why was Sinatra's going solo such a drastic move?
 * a) He clearly did not have to talent or the following yet.
 * b) At that time, there was not a big enough audience because everyone was fighting the war.
 * c) Big Bands were in style at that time, and they featured the band leader, not the vocalist.

4. What major event gave Sinatra such a large female audience?
 * a) WWI
 * b) The Great Depression
 * c) WWII

5. After accused of mafia associations, Sinatra's career took a turn for the worse. What record company helped Sinatra get back on his feet?
 * a) MGM
 * b) Capitol Records
 * c) Crooner Records

6. Who was the mother of Frank Sinatra's children?
 * a) Ava Gardner
 * b) Barbara Sinatra
 * c) Nancy Sinatra

7. What president awarded Sinatra the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
 * a) John F. Kennedy
 * b) Ronald Reagan
 * c) Franklin D. Roosevelt

8. What was the name of Sinatra's comeback tour in 1973?
 * a) //Duets//
 * b) //Swing Easy//
 * c) //Ol' Blue Eyes is Back//

9. In what year did Sinatra record //Duets// that showed the world that he could achieve popularity with a younger generation?
 * a) 1993
 * b) 1986
 * c) 1990

10. What made Sinatra's style so unique?
 * a) He mainly sang duets and made interesting and unique harmony.
 * b) He introduced new recording techniques that made records sound more flowing.
 * c) He told a story with his music that the public could relate to.

Answers: 1.B 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. B 6. C 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. C

= = = = =__Works Cited__ =

Becker, Murray. //Nancy Sinatra and Family//. 10 Jan. 1944. //AP Images//. N.p., 15 Dec. 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. //Crosby Kelly Sinatra//. N.d. //AP Images//. N.p., 15 Feb. 2007. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra. 20 Jan. 1960. //AP Images//. N.p., 9 Oct. 2002. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. Encyclopedia, Britannica. "Sinatra, Frank." //Britannica Biographies// (2010): 1. //History Reference Center//. EBSCO. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. //Frank Sinatra//. 1 Jan. 1957. //AP Images//. N.p., 30 Apr. 1997. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. //Frank Sinatra//. 21 May 1950. //AP Images//. N.p., 19 Nov. 2002. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. Frank Sinatra. N.d. //Beauty and the Feast Blog//. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. . “Frank Sinatra.” //Biography Today//. Ed. Laurie Lanzen Harris and Cherie Abbey, D. 1999. Detroit, Michigain: Omnigraphics, 1999. 97-113. Print. //Frank Sinatra and Barbara Sinatra//. 1 Jan. 1980. //AP Images//. N.p., 15 Dec. 2009. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. . //Jill Corey Frank Sinatra//. 1 Dec. 1954. //AP Images//. N.p., 19 Nov. 2002. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. //Kelly, Sinatra//. 1 Jan. 1949. //AP Images//. N.p., 2 Feb. 1996. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. Kostroun, Bill. Frank Sinatra. 13 Dec. 1990. //AP Images//. N.p., 5 Mar. 2007. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. Mafia Associations. 11 Dec. 1963. //AP Images//. N.p., 16 Apr. 2007. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. Matosian, Harold, P. //Frank Sinatra Announces Son’s Release//. 11 Dec. 1963. //AP Images//. N.p., 16 Apr. 2007. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. Nelson, Michael. “Frank Sinatra: The Loneliness of the Long Distance Singer.” //Literary Reference Center//. EBSCOhost, 2010. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. . //Sinatra//. N.d. //AP Images//. N.p., 18 Feb. 2007. Web. 8 Mar. 2010. Sinatra, Frank. “Almost Like Being in Love.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “Chicago.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “Come Fly With Me.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “Don’t Like Goodbyes.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “From Here to Eternity.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “I Get a Kick Out of You.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “I’ll Never Smile Again.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “I’ve Got the World On a String.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “Nice N’ Easy.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “Night and Day.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. - - -. “Young At Heart.” //The Capitol Years//. Rec. 1990. Capitol Records, 1991. MP3 file. //The Very Strange World of Frank Sinatra//. 1964. //Flickr//. Yahoo, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. . //Wedding Day Sinatra/////Gardener//. 7 Nov. 1951. //AP Images//. N.p., 7 Jan. 1997. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. Young Frank Sinatra. N.d. //AP Images//. N.p., 15 Feb. 2007. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. ‌