Why Sinatra Matters

the long version

Frank Sinatra is considered, with Bing Crosby, the most important popular singer of the post-world-war-2 world, at least in the English language. Both singers credit their informal styles to the influence of Louis Armstrong. Sinatra himself, though, typified a relaxed version of the bel canto ("beautiful song") style transposed to modern times (his family had emigrated from Sicily not long before his birth). Later singers like Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Perry Como and Matt Monro would owe him a great debt for this. Beyond even style and talent would be Sinatra's contribution to the modern "sense of life", as he personally made his own negotiations and judgements, famously pursued the most attractive women (winning and losing in public) regardless of cost to him, and even inspiring Paul Anka to write "My Way". He was a 20th century One Of A Kind.