Frank Sinatra
American singer and actor (1915–1998)
A voice across the record era
From bands to solo records
Frank Sinatra first found an audience as a singer in the swing era, then built a career under his own name. His 1946 release The Voice of Frank Sinatra was an early solo album, before the long-playing record became the standard album format. Songs from that collection remained part of his repertoire for decades.
The album as a deliberate work
Rather than treating every recording as an isolated single, Sinatra shaped albums around a sustained mood. In the Wee Small Hours and Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely show the reflective side of his catalogue. The Recording Academy later placed both albums in its Grammy Hall of Fame, recognition that outlived their original release campaigns.
Later recordings and honours
Sinatra continued recording and collaborating well beyond his first period of fame. His recording of Theme from New York, New York and the album Trilogy drew Grammy nominations in 1981. The Academy also honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966, a Trustees Award in 1979 and a Legend Award in 1995.
Data and sources
Recording Academy — Frank Sinatra ↗