Portrait of Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra

Origin: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA Years: December 12, 1915 - May 14, 1998

Frank Sinatra, known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes' and 'The Voice,' revolutionized popular music through his intimate vocal style, perfect intonation, and unparalleled interpretive skills. His six-decade career spanned multiple genres including swing, jazz, traditional pop, and easy listening. Sinatra founded Reprise Records (1960), giving artists unprecedented creative control. He won 11 Grammy Awards and received Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. With over 1,000 recorded songs, he remains one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century.

JazzSwingTraditional PopVocal JazzEasy ListeningPop

Discography Overview

With a career spanning 1935 to 1998, Frank Sinatra recorded over 1,000 songs across 47 solo albums. His discography includes collaborations with orchestras led by Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. Sinatra founded Reprise Records in 1960, giving artists unprecedented control over their recordings. He won 11 Grammy Awards, with 'My Way,' 'Strangers in the Night,' and 'Fly Me to the Moon' receiving Grammy Hall of Fame induction. Sinatra received Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for 'From Here to Eternity' and was named among 'Greatest Artists of All Time' by Rolling Stone.

Key Albums

  • In the Wee Small Hours (1955)
  • Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956)
  • Come Fly with Me (1958)
  • Only the Lonely (1958)
  • Nice 'n' Easy (1960)
  • Sinatra at the Sands (1966)
  • Strangers in the Night (1966)
  • That's Life (1969)
  • My Way (1969)
  • September of My Years (1965)

Key Songs

  • My Way
  • Fly Me to the Moon
  • New York, New York
  • All or Nothing at All
  • I've Got You Under My Skin
  • Come Fly with Me
  • Strangers in the Night
  • That's Life
  • The Way You Look Tonight
  • Young at Heart

Career Timeline

  1. 1935 Began singing career with Harry James Orchestra
  2. 1938 Recorded with Tommy Dorsey Orchestra; joined Bob Crosby Orchestra
  3. 1939 First film appearance; established vocal style
  4. 1940 Signed with RCA Victor Records; recorded early hits with Harry James Orchestra
  5. 1942 Departed from Tommy Dorsey Orchestra; began solo career
  6. 1943 Scored first solo hit 'All or Nothing at All' with arranger Axel Stordahl
  7. 1945 Released film 'Anchors Aweigh'; became Hollywood heartthrob
  8. 1946 Signed with Columbia Records; released 'The Voice of Frank Sinatra'
  9. 1953 Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 'From Here to Eternity'
  10. 1955 Released masterpiece 'In the Wee Small Hours' with Nelson Riddle
  11. 1956 Released 'Songs for Swingin' Lovers!' and 'Close to You'
  12. 1958 Released 'Come Fly with Me' and 'Only the Lonely'; returned to Capitol Records
  13. 1959 Released 'No One Cares' and 'Come Dance with Me!'
  14. 1960 Founded Reprise Records, giving artists creative control over their recordings
  15. 1963 Released signature song 'That's Life' and album of same name
  16. 1964 Released 'It's a Lonesome Old Town' and 'Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely'
  17. 1966 Released 'Strangers in the Night' and 'Sinatra at the Sands' live album
  18. 1969 Released 'My Way' album, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time
  19. 1970-1980s Maintained active recording and touring career into his 70s
  20. 1971 Released 'Sinatra & Company' and 'The Main Event'
  21. 1979-1980 Performed final concert series 'The Ultimate Event' and 'Sinatra: The Man and His Music'
  22. 1980-1988 Briefly retired from performing; made occasional comeback concerts
  23. 1990-1994 Final tours; 'Duets' album with various artists
  24. 1995 Awarded Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievements
  25. 1998 Passed away in Los Angeles at age 82 from heart attack

Influence Graph

How Frank Sinatra sits in the influence chain

Influenced by

Influenced

  • Dean Martin
  • Sammy Davis Jr
  • Harry Connick Jr
  • Bobby Darin
  • Tony Bennett
  • Diana Krall
  • Rod Stewart
  • Michael Buble

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