Through his ability to interpret the songs of other composers and make them his own, Frank Sinatra outlasted numerous changes in pop music, from the rise of rock in the 50’s through the punk revolution of the 70’s, and well into the 1990’s, winning over new fans while retaining a loyal group of aficionados. Sinatra, long acclaimed as the world’s greatest performer of popular music, is the artist who set the standard for all others to follow. He was, of course, more than a singer—he was an actor, recording artist, cabaret and concert star, radio and television personality, and, on occasion, producer, director, and conductor.
A beloved entertainer for six decades, Sinatra earned three Oscars, three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award, ten personal Grammys (and a total of 20 for his albums), an Emmy, a Peabody, and the Kennedy Center Honors Award. A generous charitable contributor, he was honored with the prestigious Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In addition, Sinatra was awarded the Presidential Medal Of Honor and the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest civilian award.
Besides recording nearly 1,500 songs released on scores of records, he has starred in some 60 motion pictures. Frank Sinatra has been called the most popular entertainer of the 20th century.