Frank Sinatra Biography

Fast Facts

• Dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music
• As a member of the singing group the Hoboken Four, won the talent show Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour in 1935
• Earned $75 a week after joining the Harry James Orchestra in the spring of 1939; made his first recordings with James in July of that year
• Within six months, however, he left to join Tommy Dorsey's big band
• His first No
• 1 hit came in 1940 with "I'll Never Smile Again" (with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra)
• Leader of the Rat Pack clique of celebrity pals, which included Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr
• , Peter Lawford and Dean Martin
• Had a No
• 1 hit duet with daughter Nancy, "Somethin' Stupid," in 1966
• Appeared in more than 50 films
• Had numerous nicknames over the course of his career, including the Voice, Ol' Blue Eyes and the Chairman of the Board
• Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985 from Ronald Reagan