| Francis Albert Sinatra | |
|---|---|
| |
| Date of Birth | December 12, 1915 - 415 Monroe Streer, Hobokenref name=TL |
| Date of Death | May 14, 1998 |
| Gender | Male |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Singer, Actor |
| Relatives | Mother: Dolly Sinatra Father: Antonio Sinatra First Daughter: Nancy Sinatra Son: Frank Sinatra Jr. Second Daughter: Tina Sinatra |
Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 - May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. He is of Italian descent.
Birth
Frank Sinatra was born to Dolly Garaventa and Antonio Sinatra on December 12, 1915. The birth was traumatic, as Dolly wasn't even 5 feet tall and Frank weighed 13 and a half pounds. The doctor had to use forceps to get him out. While doing this he ripped and scarred Frank's ear, cheek and neck and left him with a punctured eardrum. Frank was not breathing so the doctor looked after Dolly. Thankfully, Dolly's mother Rose held him under a cold running water, which caused Sinatra to breath and cry.[1][2]
Frank's birth certificate was filled in December 17th, and the clerk misspelt Sinatra as Sinestro and Garaventa as Garaventi. The mistake was once again made 23 years later, when they tried to fix it, with Sinatra spelt as Sinastre. The initial A was also given, making him Francis A. Sinatra.[2][1]
Childhood
As a baby, Frank was a plump child, but by the age of 5 he was skinny. He had to wear pink clothing as his mother wanted a girl — of note, at that time period, pink was still considered a masculine color — and played with dolls at a much older age than most boys. Frank didn't spend much time with Dolly, who left him with his grandmother, aunt Mary or aunt Rosalie, father-in-law, babysitter or an elderly Jewish neighbour. Frank spent time at the cinema, or learning about Jewish history. Mrs. Golden would go on to give him a Jewish charm bracelet, and he pledged to buy a quarter of a million dollar's of Israel bonds in her memory.[2]
Frank was very spoiled by Dolly to make up for her absence in his life. She gave him lots of toys, bikes and took him on holiday yearly, as well as letting him have an account at Geismar's, the local department store. She also brought him smart clothes, which put him out of place in his neighbourhood. Frank also seemed to many to be quite lonely, spending lots of time alone on his tricycle at a young age.[2]
The First Recording
Sinatra's first recording was with a band who were also recording for the first time on March 18, 1939 at Harry Smith Studios in New York. The night before, Frank asked if he could join then while in the Sicilian Club near his house in New Jersey. Sinatra asked the band leader, Frank Mane if he could sing, and the band leader let him. He sang the song Our Love, and the singing was carved into a record, which is still in the Mane's possession, kept in a safe at his house, and only used on rare occasions. The record has not been released due to Sinatra's heirs demanding all rights and most of the income from any release. [2]
Images
- Main article: Frank Sinatra/Gallery
In Popular Culture
Sinatra is referenced several times in television shows, films, and songs.
- Sinatra's version of This Town is used in The Bounty Hunter.
- Sinatra's version of Santa Claus is Comin' to Town is used The Polar Express.
- The Simpsons sports a number of Sinatra references.
- In the episode Kamp Krusty, the song "South of the Border" is played. Contrary to popular belief, Frank Sinatra didn't sing this version, but a sound alike called Gene Merlino did.
- In the episode Boy-Scoutz N the Hood, Bart and Milhouse sing the song Springfield, Springfield, a parody of New York, New York from On The Town.
- In the episode Bart of Darkness the song Summer Wind plays during the closing credits.
- In the episode Mayored to the Mob, Mark Hamill sings a parody of Luck Be a Lady while performing Guys & Dolls called Luke, be a Jedi Tonight.
- In the episode The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson the song Theme from New York, New York is played.
- In the episode The Seemingly Never-Ending Story, Moe and Edna's song is Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)
- The Muppets also did a number of references to Sinatra and his music.
- The Jim Henson single Tick-Tock Sick, released in 1960, credited Frank as the orchestra conductor. Although this is most likely a joke credit, as the orchestra only featured around three instruments and there is no known link between Henson and Sinatra.
- The song Bein' Green was originally sang by Kermit the Frog in the first season of Sesame Street, and Frank Sinatra covered it for his album Sinatra & Company, and later rereleased for Frank Sinatra's Greatest Hits Volume 2.
- Miss Piggy thinks she receives a call from Sinatra in The Muppets Go Hollywood, although it was just Scooter.
- Statler and Waldolf sang It Was A Very Good Year in episode 406.
- In The Miss Piggy Calender 1980, December has a record sleeve with a photo of Kermit and the title Ol' Google-Eyes is Back, a reference to Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back.
- Another reference to Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back is the title of Rowlf the Dog's CD Ol' Brown Ears is Back.
- Gonzo performed My Way as his final song when he planned to leave The Muppet Show in episode 411. He also performed it during The Muppet Show On Tour, and a new version was recorded for the album Favorite Songs From Jim Henson.
- In a 1960's IBM commercial, Rowlf the Dog sang his version of My Way, with altered lyrics.
- The film George of the Jungle, featuring animatronics by the Jim Henson's Creature Shop, An Ape Named Ape performed My Way in a Las Vegas nightclub.
- Oscar the Grouch parodied the song in his song Just Throw It My Way, in an episode of Sesame Street.
- In the teaser trailer for Fallout: New Vegas, the Frank Sinatra version of "Blue Moon" was used, to give it a Vegas vibe. The song also appears on the in-game radio station "Radio New Vegas".
- In episode 4 of Series 3 of Ashes to Ashes, "My Way" can be heard in the background at Luigi's trattoria.
- "The Right Girl For Me" appears in the episode S.O.S. of Lost.
- In The Walking Dead Season 4 episode, Infected, Tyreese sings "I've Got You Under My Skin" to Karen.