TIGERX.COM Memorial: Francis Albert Sinatra (Frank Sinatra)

Fond Farewells

Francis Albert Sinatra

December 12, 1915 - - - May 15, 1998

Born in Hoboken's Little Italy in New Jersey, Frank Sinatra became known all over the world for his phenomenal voice. Thought to be too "ethnic" in the beginning of his career, he refused to change his last name to something more "American" and went on to record over 200 albums and led the evolution from Big Band to vocal American music with such songs as Strangers in the Night, New York, New York and a song that brought him out of retirement, My Way. He made numerous films and created a crew called the "Rat Pack" with Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
He was married four times. His first wife was his childhood sweetheart, Nancy Barbato in February of 1939. He later had a public affair with Ava Gardner. His married his third wife, actress Mia Farrow in 1966, he was 51 she was 21. His final marriage was to Barbara Marx, she was formerly married to the famed Zeppo Marx of the Marx Brothers comedy team.
Though he had strong Italian ties and loved his heritage, he was a humanitarian and enjoyed all cultures, a true democrat, he strongly supported his friend John F. Kennedy and went on strike once while on tour with Sammy Davis, Jr. when they refused to allow a black person stay at the hotel. He also once reunited feuding former partners Jerry Lewis & Dean Martin live on television. He had not been well for over a year and rumours of his health and "near-death" since his heart attack in January of 1997. He died at 10:50 p.m. in the emergency room of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Frank Sinatra during his career had recorded over a thousand songs and performed nearly 200 concerts in 17 different countries. Frank Sinatra truly did it "his way".

Visit the Official Sinatra Family Website at www.sinatrafamily.com

In The Studio with Bing Crosby & Dean Martin

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