Biography
Born in New Jersey to Frank Sinatra and his first wife Nancy Barbato, Frank Sinatra, Jr. carved out his own path as a vocalist, songwriter, and arranger while remaining in the shadow of his celebrated father. Although the elder Sinatra warned his son against entering the music business because of its inherent hardships and unpredictability, the younger Sinatra ignored the advice and launched a career anyway, often singing along to his father’s recordings as a child.
Possessing a voice closely resembling his father’s, he joined the Tommy Dorsey band for performances beginning in 1963. That December he was abducted and held for ransom, regaining his freedom after two days when the perpetrators were apprehended and later convicted. He subsequently served as his father’s music director, absorbing further nuances of tone, phrasing, expression, delivery, and stage presence through repeated nights of live collaboration. His debut album, Young Love for Sale, already demonstrated that command of style and elegance associated with Ol’ Blue Eyes and appeared on the Reprise label, long associated with Sinatra. He also took the podium at times to conduct his father’s orchestra, an experience that culminated in the 1996 tribute album As I Remember It, which revisited many of the elder Sinatra’s signature songs.
During the 1970s Sinatra, Jr. appeared on multiple television programs and issued several recordings on the Daybreak label, among them Spice, His Way, It’s Alright, and Billy May for President. While the Nelson Riddle Orchestra supplied the accompaniment for most of these projects, arranger and composer Billy May directed the sessions for the final title. In the 1980s and 1990s he established a steady presence in Las Vegas nightclubs alongside the Buddy Childers big band. His first collection of new material in a decade, That Face!, was captured live inside Capitol’s renowned studios and issued by Rhino in 2006. He maintained an active touring schedule across the United States until his death in 2016, shortly before a scheduled performance in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Possessing a voice closely resembling his father’s, he joined the Tommy Dorsey band for performances beginning in 1963. That December he was abducted and held for ransom, regaining his freedom after two days when the perpetrators were apprehended and later convicted. He subsequently served as his father’s music director, absorbing further nuances of tone, phrasing, expression, delivery, and stage presence through repeated nights of live collaboration. His debut album, Young Love for Sale, already demonstrated that command of style and elegance associated with Ol’ Blue Eyes and appeared on the Reprise label, long associated with Sinatra. He also took the podium at times to conduct his father’s orchestra, an experience that culminated in the 1996 tribute album As I Remember It, which revisited many of the elder Sinatra’s signature songs.
During the 1970s Sinatra, Jr. appeared on multiple television programs and issued several recordings on the Daybreak label, among them Spice, His Way, It’s Alright, and Billy May for President. While the Nelson Riddle Orchestra supplied the accompaniment for most of these projects, arranger and composer Billy May directed the sessions for the final title. In the 1980s and 1990s he established a steady presence in Las Vegas nightclubs alongside the Buddy Childers big band. His first collection of new material in a decade, That Face!, was captured live inside Capitol’s renowned studios and issued by Rhino in 2006. He maintained an active touring schedule across the United States until his death in 2016, shortly before a scheduled performance in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Albums