Frank Sinatra was only one of a handful of popular entertainers who dominated Western popular culture for six decades. From his early fame as 'the Voice' in the early 1940s, through to the high rolling, fast living 'Rat Pack' era, to the protracted Lear-like farewell tours of his twilight years, Sinatra was the epitome of cool. This compelling, consistently insightful book portrays Sinatra in his many contradictory hues of ambition, generosity, menace and vituperation. The book asks why Sinatra's public character which mixed insufferable hauteur with soapy populism and nobility with the lowest kind of vindictive violence proved so enduring with the Western public? What model of masculinity was Sinatra projecting? Why did his recordings, concert performances and film work persuade audiences that he was really talking to them alone? What does his career tell us about the relationship between celebrity and popular culture? Sinatra may not have found his Boswell with this study, but our understanding of him will never be the same again. Rojek's is the first book to take Sinatra's cultural significance seriously. It is a landmark work in our understanding of celebrity and popular culture. The book will be of interest to students of Cultural, Media and Communication Studies, Sociology and, most of all, anyone who has bought a Sinatra recording or seen a Sinatra film.
Frank Sinatra was only one of a handful of popular entertainers who dominated Western popular culture for six decades. From his early fame as 'the Voice' in the early 1940s, through to the high rolling, fast living 'Rat Pack' era, to the protracted Lear-like farewell tours of his twilight years, Sinatra was the epitome of cool. This compelling, consistently insightful book portrays Sinatra in his many contradictory hues of ambition, generosity, menace and vituperation. The book asks why Sinatra's public character which mixed insufferable hauteur with soapy populism and nobility with the lowest kind of vindictive violence proved so enduring with the Western public? What model of masculinity was Sinatra projecting? Why did his recordings, concert performances and film work persuade audiences that he was really talking to them alone? What does his career tell us about the relationship between celebrity and popular culture? Sinatra may not have found his Boswell with this study, but our understanding of him will never be the same again. Rojek's is the first book to take Sinatra's cultural significance seriously. It is a landmark work in our understanding of celebrity and popular culture. The book will be of interest to students of Cultural, Media and Communication Studies, Sociology and, most of all, anyone who has bought a Sinatra recording or seen a Sinatra film.
Frank Sinatra's 45-year recording career and the songs he recorded: his professional biography as a recording artist; the evolution of his vocal technique and performance style; sources and variety of songs recorded; his 12 most-recorded composers and lyricists (20 others are discussed briefly); his interaction with his six major sources of orchestration; his recording sessions; a review of all albums referenced; and the technical and commercial side of his career. Supporting the research are a master song list (approximately 1,250 recordings), songs by publication date, composer and lyricist indexes, every arrangers work (listing each conductor and orchestra), a detailed list of recording sessions--in order--plus radio, television and film work, and three album lists, showing contents, order of first releases, label sequence and producers.
Frank Sinatra: An Extraordinary Life is a definitive account of Frank Sinatra's life and career. With unique material and exclusive interviews with fellow musicians, promoters and friends, the acclaimed author Spencer Leigh has written a compelling biography of one of the world's biggest stars. With remarkable stories about Sinatra on every page, and an exceptional cast of characters, readers will wonder how Sinatra ever found time to make records. If this book were a work of fiction, most people would think it far-fetched.
FRANK SINATRA: AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE is a comprehensive account of Frank Sinatra's life and career. In this revised and updated edition the author has added an exceptional discography compiled around chart placings with all Frank's US and UK successes listed, according to Billboard (US) and British Hit Singles (UK). This is a compelling biography of Sinatra, one of the world's biggest stars with remarkable stories on every page. This new edition also has a full and comprehensive index so Sinatra fans can have all the facts about this great man, his music, life and career at their fingertips.
FRANK SINATRA: AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE is a compelling biography of Frank Sinatra's life and career - warts and all, spanning the years from 1915 to Sinatra's death in 1998. This fast-paced comprehensive chronicle details the superstar's music, films, romances, personality traits and questionable exploits! This book will be a wonderful addition to the library of any Frank Sinatra fan, or in fact, any fan of the big band era or of popular music in general. With unique material and exclusive interviews with fellow musicians, promoters, friends and those who knew him, this revised and updated biography is the definitive account of Frank Sinatra and his career. A new comprehensive discography, film listing, index, songs about Frank, tribute albums and more.
El 11 de septiembre de 1997, durante el transcurso del d a, la p gina de Internet reservada para otorgar un Tributo a Frank Sinatra, patrocinada por John Sauvageaus Omega, consigui nada menos que 10.000 visitantes, un r cord a n no superado por ning n otro artista mundial. Este dato deja bien claro que Sinatra, incluso enfermo, envejecido y reposando sobre una cama de un hospital, era capaz de mover los sentimientos de miles de personas de todo el mundo. Tristemente, yo nunca he entrevistado a Frank Sinatra y solamente pude verle en directo durante el concierto que dio en Madrid en el Santiago Bernab u, aunque aqu l d a no consegu entradas de pista y tuve que observarle desde casi cien metros de distancia, en una grada situada en lo m s alto del estadio y desde donde apenas si lograba verle. Afortunadamente, su m sica llegaba con facilidad. Siempre he mantenido un gran respeto por l y aunque a lo largo de su vida ha recibido multitud de homenajes (recuerdo especialmente el "Feliz cumplea os, Franky" en su 80 aniversario), estimo que esta idea de poner una p gina en Internet es el mejor de todos los homenajes, ya que al menos pueden participar directamente todos sus admiradores mundiales y no reservarlo solamente para los norteamericanos. Es dif cil encontrar un hombre con tanta personalidad en el mundo de la m sica y quienes han estado entre el auditorio del Palace Caesar en Las Vegas y han podido disfrutar de un concierto suyo en directo, se han convertido invariablemente en sus admiradores de por vida. Pero al lado de tantos millones de personas que le admiran, est n quienes siempre han tratado de desprestigiarle y hablar mal de l con el nico fin de conseguir dinero con un falso y denigrante reportaje. Que una persona, p blica o privada, haya podido cometer a lo largo de su vida alg n desatino, no es motivo para sacarlo en las portadas de una revista. Por eso era imprescindible la elaboraci n de una biograf a sobre Frank Sinatra que fuera real y que de una manera digna contase a sus admiradores y a los que a n ir n llegando, c mo era uno de los m s grandes mitos del cine y la m sica. No espere el lector, por tanto, ning n desacato hacia l o su familia, y en su lugar encontrar respeto para alguien que ya est en la historia del arte con letras may sculas. Escuchar cualquiera de sus canciones es sentir alg n tipo de emoci n, pero, adem s, y gracias a su perfecta vocalizaci n, se puede escuchar cada palabra que canta y esto es digno de observar ya que todas sus canciones est n adornadas de una letra po tica. Ambas cosas, letra y m sica, m s otras que seguiremos mencionando despu s, le dan una categor a nica. Hay quien piensa que estamos hablando de un cantante que enamora a jovencitas por sus bellos ojos, m s que por su voz, pero obviamente despu s de cumplir los 82 a os, no es posible pensar una cosa as . Pregunte a cualquier fan, hombre o mujer, y nadie se referir a l como el hombre de los ojos azules que enamora a las mujeres. Hablar n siempre del Se or Sinatra, y esto es especialmente aleccionador cuando el nombre lo emplea un joven que acaba de descubrir casi por casualidad que existe un cantante norteamericano que tiene una forma de cantar nica, que traspasa los gustos de la edad y puede seguir llegando al coraz n de millones de personas. Cuando su hija Nancy Sinatra se enter de la p gina Web de Internet dedicada a darle un nuevo tributo mundial coment "Este tributo es como una madre dando a luz y veo que todav a hay miles de personas que le aman. He hecho llegar la noticia a Frank, el cual est sumamente conmovido por este homenaje tan espont neo y multitudinario que le han hecho. Veo que el aplauso de sus fans sigue siendo igual de fuerte que antes".
(Applause Books). Frank Sinatra's work has crossed decades and generations. From the early song hits right up to his recent death, the Chairman of the Board reinterpreted classics to make them his own. His acting career was equally successful, Jewell looks at the fascination of Sinatra, including his four marriages, his close association with the fabled Rat Pack, and his political allegiances from Jack and Bobby up to Ron and Nancy.
A celebration of Sinatra's enduring impact on American entertainment and cultural life. For nearly sixty years, Frank Sinatra [1915-98] triumphed in concert, in the recording studio, on television, and on the big screen, refashioning his image to suit the temper of the times. Sinatra did it "his way," remaining bothelusive and alluring, and appealing to men and women alike. This collection analyzes the qualities that ensured Sinatra's staying power: his impeccable musicality, his charisma, his tough-mindedness, and even his peccadilloes. The contributors to this volume evaluate Sinatra's impact on all areas of entertainment, and examine many of the cultural forces he influenced and was influenced by, including Bing Crosby, Elvis, the "Beats," the Beatles, and Rock 'n' Roll. What emerges is a portrait of an artist, entertainment icon, and legendary symbol of popular culture. This appreciation of the Sinatra phenomenon celebrates his enduring impact on American entertainment and cultural life. Contributors: Blaine Allan, Samuel L. Chell, David Finck, Joseph Fioravanti Jeanne Fuchs, Philip Furia, Roger Gilbert, Ruth Prigozy, Walter Raubicheck, Lisa Jo Sagolla, Ron Simon, Arnold Jay Smith, James F. Smith, Patric M. Verrone, David Wild Jeanne Fuchs is Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature and Languages at Hofstra University; Ruth Prigozy is Professor of English at Hofstra University.
Frank Sinatra is an international icon who continues to hold endless fascination for millions of fans. In this authoritative biography, John Frayn Turner examines every aspect of Ol' Blue Eyes' charisma, character, life, loves, failings, and fame. Fresh and objective-and not obsessed with mafia allegations-it is a book about Sinatra the good guy as well as the bad. From his humble beginnings in working class Hoboken, to his start in the business singing with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, through the scandals, the loves, the music and the movies, Frank Sinatra looks closely at Sinatra the singer, actor, philanthropist, and man-a three-dimensional view of a complex genius.
A Birthday Card in Book Form Features nearly 90 witty and inspirational quotations, and a page for inscribing your personal birthday message.Frank Sinatra is the embodiment of the tiger which cannot be tamed. Living life on his own terms (also known as My Way) was the only way for Sinatra. Fans will learn much from his candid style and singular genius when they celebrate the bon mots of the 'Chief Rat'. Boisterous, generous and defiant; Frank is an American classic.Birthdays come but once a year. Who better to help celebrate yours than someone equally legendary? On your special day, enjoy the gift of wit and wisdom from Frank Sinatra-Chairman of the Board.
A selection of witty and provocative essays from the father of New Journalism, Gay Talese's Frank Sinatra Has a Cold and Other Essays is published in Penguin Modern Classics.Gay Talese is the father of American New Journalism, who transformed traditional reportage with his vivid scene-setting, sharp observation and rich storytelling. His 1966 piece for Esquire, one of the most celebrated magazine articles ever published, describes a morose Frank Sinatra silently nursing a glass of bourbon, struck down with a cold and unable to sing, like 'Picasso without paint, Ferrari without fuel - only worse'. The other writings in this selection include a description of a meeting between two legends, Fidel Castro and Muhammad Ali; a brilliantly witty dissection of the offices of Vogue magazine; an account of travelling to Ireland with hellraising actor Peter O'Toole; and a profile of fading baseball star Joe DiMaggio, which turns into a moving, immaculately-crafted meditation on celebrity. Gay Talese (b. 1932) is an American author. He wrote for The New York Times in the early 1960s and helped to define literary journalism or 'new nonfiction reportage', also known as New Journalism. His most famous articles are about Joe DiMaggio, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. He lives in New York with his wife, Nan Talese.If you enjoyed Frank Sinatra has a Cold, you might like George Orwell's Essays, also published in Penguin Modern Classics.'The best American prose of the second half of the twentieth century' Atlantic Monthly'The best non-fiction writer in America' Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather'A masterful New Journalism pioneer ... raises the magazine article to the level of an art form'Los Angeles Times
Frank Sinatra's influence on American popular culture has been wide reaching and long lasting. This diverse collection of essays written by historians, music critics, and popular culture personalities offers a myriad of perspectives and commentaries on this multitalented legend. The essays attest to the interest in Sinatra that has spanned six decades and shows no sign of diminishing—even after his death. From singer to actor, from mass media personality to humanitarian and cultural trendsetter, the many contributions of Frank Sinatra are brought to life in this entertaining volume. Written to appeal to Sinatra fans, these unique essays, including one by Frank Sinatra himself, are organized into three sections. The first examines Sinatra's fame and the ways in which his image was formed, the second looks at his music, and the final group of essays are personal reminiscences by the people who knew him. Together these essays will provide new material for the ever-growing dialogue about Frank Sinatra's place in and influence over twentieth-century American popular culture.
Frank Sinatra is an iconic figure in music, but his film career is often overlooked. His innate talent as an actor is proven in many serious dramatic roles, including films like Man with the Golden Arm, The Manchurian Candidate, and From Here to Eternity, for which he received an Oscar. From romantic musical comedies to Rat Pack films, Frank Sinatra achieved a great deal of success in motion pictures. He even took a stab at directing. This book examines each of Frank Sinatra's movies, from his early years as a bobby soxer idol, to more serious roles that exhibited the depth of his talent. Provided are background stories, production information, critical assessments, and an explanation of how his career as a recording artist connected to the movie. Discover through 60 photographs, interviews, and more, this underappreciated aspect of Sinatra's career.
*Includes pictures. *Includes both men's most colorful quotes. *Discusses their relationship and the Rat Pack. *Includes bibliographies of both men for further reading. "May you live to be 100 and may the last voice you hear be mine." - Frank Sinatra "If people want to think I get drunk and stay out all night, let 'em. That's how I got here, you know." - Dean Martin America has always celebrated its star entertainers, but Frank Sinatra remains a unique American legend. A pop culture fixture for over half a century, Sinatra's music is still cherished, and his persona remains its own archetype of the quintessential American star. Sinatra transcended genres to the extent that his music stands alone as its own kind of American music, with songs like "New York, New York," "Chicago," and "Come Fly With Me" instantly recognizable among all Americans. Of course, there was also the life that went with the music. The cultural identity of the Rat Pack, epitomized in the 1960 film Ocean's Eleven, further contributed to his fame, and everyone knows and appreciates the image of easy living, smooth voice and exuberant starpower that Sinatra represents. If anything, Sinatra's ability to make so many people feel happy and good about themselves was one of the main ingredients of his success. And as evidence of the fact that Americans don't mind their stars doing a little dirt, Sinatra's rap sheet and relationship with the mob are practically a celebrated part of his life. Like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin is an American legend for his longevity and success across a garden variety of different platforms. Martin began as a nightclub singer, performed in a comedy act, starred in films, recorded hit albums, and capped his career by serving as a television host. In fact, there may be no star who was better able to transcend the different avenues of entertainment. Martin's life and career are often compared to his close friend and contemporary Frank Sinatra, and for good reason. Both came from proud Italian families, both were cohorts in the famed Rat Pack in the 1960s, and they each maintained success even late in their careers. However, Sinatra's career was filled with far more ups and downs than Martin, and his public image experienced highs and lows along with it. It's also somewhat ironic that it was Martin who Anglicized his name but remained a bigger Italian icon than Sinatra. They each began their careers as Italian crooners, but Martin maintained his style while Sinatra adopted a brasher, more "All-American" singing method. Martin never strayed far from his humble background, even as he became one of America's biggest stars. Show Business Icons profiles the life and career of two of America's most famous performers. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Ol' Blue Eyes and the King of Cool like never before.
