The Frank Sinatra ReaderSteven Petkov, Leonard Mustazza From the time he made hordes of hysterical fans swoon at the Paramount in 1942 up until the present day, Frank Sinatra has never been out of the public spotlight. With some 1,800 recordings, 60 film credits, two Oscars, numerous Grammys and a Grammy Legends Award, and the undying loyalty of millions of fans around the world, Sinatra has become an American hero. Songs sung by the Italian-American phenomenon, such as "New York, New York," "My Way,""Fly Me to the Moon," and "That's Life" are now among the undisputed classics of American popular music. In The Frank Sinatra Reader, Leonard Mustazza and Steven Petkov have brought together for the first time a singular selection of writings about the famous singer that focuses on his music and his legendary voice. A unique anthology of reviews, photographs, and memoirs, many of them back in print for the first time in decades, this collection tells the story of Sinatra's extraordinary musical career from its inception to the present. We see Sinatra as a teen phenomenon and follow his rise and fall as a solo performer, his comeback as a mature recording artist with Capitol Records, and his reign as a powerful and influential personality in the '60s. Lastly, the book contemplates Sinatra's ability to endure and triumph in a changing musical world. Included among the prominent writers, musicians, and journalists that recount and applaud the star's progress through the twentieth century are Henry Pleasants, Arnold Shaw, Stephen Holden, Gay Talese, Whitney Balliet, Gene Lees, Bill Boggs, Will Friedwald, and William Kennedy. Readers will also find intimate recollections by writers who knew not only the musician but the man himself, such as those by Pete Hamill, Jonathan Schwartz, and Rosalind Russell. The editors provide introductions to each section, a selected discography, a complete filmography, as well as a biographical chronology of the author's life and a selected bibliography. In The Frank Sinatra Reader, the man and his music become inseparable as the reader develops a greater understanding and appreciation of both. Mustazza and Petkov have created an invaluable collection that both illuminates and reflects Sinatra's incredible impact on the American cultural landscape. It is a must read for all Sinatra fans and for anyone interested in popular music and culture. |
Contents
Introduction | 3 |
PHENOMENON 19391948 | 16 |
The Fave the Fans and the Fiends | 34 |
Copyright | |
10 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actor album American popular appeared artist asked Atlantic City audience Ava Gardner ballad band Billy Bing Crosby Blue Eyes Bobby booth called Capitol Records career casino club Columbia Records concert Dean Martin Don Costa drink Duets emotional entertainment feel film Frank Sinatra friends girl Golden Nugget Gordon Jenkins heard Hoboken Hollywood Italian jazz Jersey Jilly Jilly's Jobim Kennedy Lady later legend listen live looks Mia Farrow Mikal Gilmore million movie musicians Nancy Nelson Riddle never night once orchestra Paramount performance phrasing play producer Reprise Rickles saloon Sammy Davis sang says seemed Sinatra fans Sinatra recorded Sinatra Sings smile song sound stage star Steve Wynn studio style swinging talk tape television tell thing tion Tommy Dorsey Vegas Virna Lisi vocal voice walked wanted weeks words York young