Figure 1.--This is Frank taking his First Communion in Hoboken about 1923. He was about 7 or 8 years old. He wears above the knee knickers with an Eton collar and sleeve ribbon. |
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Frank Sinatra known as 'The Voice' is one of the greatest American singers. Frank was born in Hoboken, New Jersey
during 1915. He grew up in an Italian family in very modest circumstances. Here we see Frank as a good Italian boy taking his First Communion (figure 1). As a boy, he was more interested in becoming a journalist than a singer. His first job was
with a newspaper, but he soon decided that he wanted to be a singer. He was fascinated by Bing Crosby who was the most important American crooner in the 1930s. Frank attended a Crosby concert in 1933 and at this time decided he was going to be a singer. At first he worked in clubs and bars. Radio was the media phenomenon of the 1930s. Sinatra go on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour. He combined with a trio also on the peogram and the four young worked together as the 'The Hoboken Four'. They won first prize on the show as well as their first concert appearances as part of the Major Bowes travelling show. Frank began appearing on various radio programs, often without any pay or just expenses. His next big break came came as a vocalist with the Harry James band. He also worked with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. While with Dorsey, Sinatra began his film career with "Las Vegas Nights" (1941) and "Ship Ahoy" (1942). Sinatra by 1942 had begun to replace Crosby as America's favorite singer. He was especially popular with teenagers (bobby soxers) and young women. No other singer or group have approached this level of poularity with the exception of Elvis and the Beatles.
Frank Sinatra known as "The Voice" is one of the greatest American singers. Frank was born in Hoboken, New Jersey
during 1915. He grew up in an Italian family in very modest circumstances. He was an only child. He showed a certain athletic prowess as a boy. As a boy, he was more interested in becoming a journalist than a singer.
Here we see Frank as a good Italian boy taking his First Communion (figure 1) Frank was photographed about 1923 when he was 8 years old in
Hoboken, New Jersey. He wears an Eton collar with a large white bow and a
white carnation on his black above-the-knee knicker suit. This is actually
one of the better images I've seen of how above-the-knee knickers were
constructed--with the gathering of the pants into a band that fastened above
the knee. Frank wears the traditional long black stockings (not very tautly
gartered) with black Oxford shoes. He has the usual white ribbon around his
left sleeve and is holding the scrolled certificate of his communion in his
right hand and a white prayer book with rosary in his left.
We havde little information on the clothes Frank wore as a boy.
Note the hair style (a brand new hair cut?) with some sort of shiny substance to keep it in place. This was a popular style in the 1920s and 30s, combing the haor straight back.
Sinatra's first job was with a newspaper, but he soon decided that he wanted to be a singer.
He was fascinated by Bing Crosby who was the most important American crooner in the 1930s. Frank attended a Crosby concert in 1933 and at this time decided he was going to be a singer. At first he worked in clubs and bars. Radio was the media phenomenon of the 1930s. Sinatra go on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour. He combined with a trio also on the peogram and the four young worked together as the "The Hoboken Four". Tey won first prize on the show as well as their first concert appearances as partof the Major Bowes travelling show. Frank began appearing on various radio programs, often without any pay or just expenses.
His next big break came came as a vocalist with the Harry James band. He also worked with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. While with Dorsey, Sinatra began his film career with "Las Vegas Nights" (1941) and "Ship Ahoy" (1942). Sinatra by 1942 had begun to replace Crosby as America's favorite singer. He was especially popular with teenagers (bobby sockers) and young women. No other singer or group have approached this level of poularity with the exception of Elvis and the Beatles.
Sinatra married four times: to (1) Nancy Barbato (by whom he had three children, Nancy, Frank, Tina); (2) Ava Gardner; (3) Mia Farrow; and (4) Barbara Marx (related to the famous Marx brothers of the movies).
