Born: December 12, 1915
Died: May 14, 1998 Place of Birth: Hoboken, New Jersey
Major Notes:
Frank Sinatra is credited by many as being the most popular singer of the twentieth century.
His father was born in Sicily and his mother was from Italy
Frank Sinatra's father was a fireman and taught him boxing, a sport that remained his favorite.
He disliked mathematics but played many sports in high school yet eventually dropped out.
Sinatra did take a course in Journalism at a local business school and became a sports reporter.
At age 20, he decided to take up singing after listening to his idol, Bing Crosby, on the radio.
Somewhat like Crosby, Sinatra developed his own method and style of singing songs.
Sinatra won a local singing contest which gave him a regular gig in a country roadhouse called The Rustic Cabin.
It was here in 1939 when band leader Harry James heard Frank Sinatra and signed him to sing in his new band.
A few months later, Tommy Dorsey signed Sinatra for his orchestra and the two made many recordings together.
Sinatra became a singing idol and his popularity soared under a recording contract with Columbia pictures.
By 1946, he had a successful singing career and had signed a movie contract with MGM.
Nevertheless, by 1950, after rumors circulated he was connected to the mafia, the communists, and affairs, his career seemed over.
He made a major comeback by winning an Academy Award in the motion picture, From Here to eternity.
Thereafter, he continued to have a number of major movies and hit records throughout the duration of his career.
Frank Sinatra received a number of awards including the Kennedy Center Life Achievement Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom,
and a Congressional Gold Medal for his many lifetime achievements.
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