SOURCE: Pixabay

There has been no-one as influential, prevalent, popular, and as admired in music’s long history than Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. When the call came twenty years ago that the leader of the Rat Pack, Sinatra, had finally had his last kick and ‘My Way’ started to take on a more somber meaning, everyone knew exactly where they were when they heard the news. Not only a dashing actor and soulful swinger, the Sultan of Swoon embodied everything that was cool about being a modern man. But why exactly has Frank Sinatra’s popularity maintained, despite the legend dying in May 1998?

Sinatra’s Songs

Sinatra’s back catalogue of songs contain some of the most popular and some of the most re-recorded, such as Here’s That Rainy Day (covered 96 times), Time After Time (covered 85 times), and Young At Heart (covered 42 times). Sinatra also boasts some of the most bestselling, such as Strangers in the Night, Three Coins in the Fountain, and New York, New York. His style of singing is instantly recognizable and the inimitable nature of his voice has secured his place in history as a truly unique performer. Sinatra’s signature style was warbling and crooning, yet with his 1964 hit Softly As I Leave You, he embraced soft rock, and in 1988 began working on Digital Sinatra to show dedication to moving with the times, to utilize musical themes from the time and keep his music fresh. The powerhouse of Sinatra’s voice definitely helped keep fans flocking to see him during his lifetime, and the timeless nature of the classics retains his legacy posthumously.

Sinatra the Actor

As well as being a top crooner, Frank Sr. was also an established actor, starring in such blockbuster films as Guys and Dolls (1955), which spawned the famous Luck Be a Lady Tonight. This showcased his love of gambling and his appreciation of women, and influenced his part in the pre-Clooney original of Ocean’s 11 (1960), which, as Betway Casino shows, helped place the casino on the map in pop culture. Much like Elvis Presley, Sinatra extended his brand from being a top singer to being an all-rounder in showbusiness, which furthered his reach and legions of adoring fans. Sinatra is credited with starring in at least 40 movies, and even went on to produce and direct, spreading his influence behind the camera and on the soundtrack, as well as in front of it. He even won the 1953 Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for From Here to Eternity and has four Golden Globes, as well as dozens of other film award nominations (not to mention musical accolades).

SOURCE: @classicalcinema via Twitter

Sinatra’s Attitude

Ultimately, the songs were not just lyrically sound and performed with feeling, they were also packed with a punchy attitude that made Sinatra stand out. Often seen with the Rat Pack (Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. etc.) in and around Vegas, Sinatra became known for being a man of many pleasures, who lived life to the fullest and took advantage of all opportunities open to him. He utilized the glitz and glamour of Sin City to further showcase his brand of someone who lived hard and made no apologies. Ever the ladies’ man, Sinatra had cycled through four wives from 1939 to his death, and fathered legendary singers Nancy Sinatra (whose boots were made for walking) and Frank Jr. (who often appeared as himself on Family Guy), who helped keep the Sinatra brand alive in his later years and after his death. And, if nothing else, Sinatra helped to name the character Scooby Doo, whose name derives from Sinatra’s signature scat singing.

When it comes to great artists, few can discredit Frank Sinatra. Whether he captivated roomfuls of people with his dulcet tones, with his captivating performances on screen, or simply with his no-nonsense man-about-town attitude, Frank Sinatra is truly one in a billion. His legacy endures and new legions of fans continue to discover his music and keep the legend of Frank Sinatra alive. Frank Sinatra may have died in May 1998, but his legacy will live on forever. After all, he did it his way.