The Voice of Our Times... The Kid from Hoboken Struts His Stuff (minus Vocals)

Even in his early days, Frank Sinatra was a larger than life figure. His singing, like that of his early idol Bing Crosby, seemed effortless and natural. His outstanding breath control and phrasing became extremely influential by the 1950s, his repertoire was top-notch, and he could swing any song effortlessly. Add to that his attitudes, personality and acting career and one had a living legend.

Francis Albert Sinatra was born Dec. 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. He first sang in public when he was eight years, standing on the top of a bar at a nightclub for tips. He dropped out of high school in his senior year, working at a variety of jobs including as a delivery boy and a riveter while hoping to be a singer someday. He never learned to read music and sang completely by ear.

In 1935, the 19-year old Sinatra joined The Three Flashes, a singing group that was soon renamed The Hoboken Four. The group did well for a year, winning the Major Bowes Amateur Hour on radio and performing at shows. After leaving the vocal group, Sinatra worked as a singing waiter at the Rustic Cabin in Englewood, New Jersey. He made his first record, “Our Love,” with the Frank Mann band in the spring of 1939. After he was heard on the radio, he was discovered and joined the Harry James Orchestra.

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