Songrise
Sinatra
A few little tit-bits from my personal collection of writings from the 'Chairman'  I am quite sure I would not have particularly enjoyed the company of Frank or shared many of his values, but there was clearly a lot of poetry in the man. For more interesting Sinatra stuff, and some truly tacky poetry by fans visit The Sinatra Family site)

 

A 'SINGING MANUAL' that Sinatra wrote at the height of his career

 

A letter from Frank Sinatra published in the 'Los Angeles Times' in response to George Michael who was reported as saying that although "...he had always wanted to be a pop-star...", he was retiring from the public eye' because of the attention of fans and the media, etc.

"Come on George, Loosen up. Swing, man, Here's a kid who 'wanted to be a pop-star since I was about seven years old.' and now he's a smash performer and song-writer at 27, he wants to quit doing what tons of gifted youngsters all over the world would shoot grandma for- just one crack at what he's complaining about. Michael should thank the Good Lord every morning when he wakes up to have all that he has. Dust off those gossamer wings and fly yourself to the moon of your choice and be grateful to carry the baggage we've all had to carry since those lean nights of sleeping on buses and helping the driver unload the instruments.. And no more of that talk about the 'tragedy of fame' The tragedy of fame is when no-one shows up and you're singing to the cleaning-lady in some empty joint that hasn't seen a paying customer since St. Swithin's Day. And you're nowhere near that; you're top dog on the top rung of a tall ladder called stardom, which in Latin means 'thanks to the fans who were there when it was lonely. Talent must not be wasted. Those who have it--and you obviously do, or the (magazine) article would have been about Rudy Vallee--those who have talent must hug it, embrace it, nurture it and share it lest it be taken away from you as fast as it was loaned to you. Trust me. I've been there. Frank Sinatra"

From the Sinatra Family website, a letter written to his daughter Nancy:

"Chicken – a thought. Strange, but I feel the world we live in demands that we be turned out in a pattern which resembles, in fact, is (Sic) a facsimile of itself. And those of us who roll with the punches, who grin, who dare to wear foolish clown faces, who defy the system -–well; we do it, and bully for us! Of course, there are those who do not, and the reason I think is that, (and I say this with some sadness) those up-tight, locked in people who resent and define us, who fear us, and are bewildered by us, will one day come to realise that we possess rare and magical secrets, and more --- love. Therefore, I am beginning to think that a few, (I hope many) are wondering if maybe there might be value to a fire-fly, or an instant-long roman candle. Keep the faith, Dad."
-   See the original letter

 

He has inspired some rather magnificent responses from other people too:

 

From Bono (of U2) : The Frank Sinatra Induction Speech  Bono was asked to introduce Frank Sinatra when the vocal legend was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1994 Grammy Awards. This is the speech Bono delivered in honour of Sinatra, a speech Sinatra called "... probably the best introduction I've ever had."


"....Frank never did like Rock and Roll, And he's not crazy about guys wearing earrings either. But he doesn't hold it against me, and anyway, the feeling is not mutual. Rock and Roll people love Frank Sinatra because Frank has got what we want: swagger and attitude; he's big on attitude, Serious attitude, bad attitude. Frank's the Chairman of the Bad. Rock and Roll plays at being tough but this guy, well, he's the boss, The boss of bosses, The man, The big bang of pop I'm not gonna mess with him, are you? Who's this guy that every city in America wants to claim as their own? This painter who lives in the desert, this first-rate, first-take actor, this singer who makes other men poets, boxing clever with every word, talking like America, Tough, straight-up, in headlines, comin' through with the big stick, the aside, the quiet compliment. Good cop, bad cop, all in the same breath. You know his story 'cause it's your story Frank walks like America -- cock-sure. It's 1945 and the U.S. Cavalry are trying to get their asses out of Europe, but they never really do. They're part of another kind of invasion AFR -- American Forces Radio (sic) Broadcasting a music that'll curl the stiff upper-lip of England and the rest of the world. Paving the way for Duke Ellington, the big band, Tommy Dorsey. And right out in front -- Frank Sinatra. His voice as tight as a fist, opening at the end of a bar. Not on the beat, over it, playing with it, splitting it like a jazz man, like Miles Davis, Turning on the right phrase and the right song Which is where he lives, where he lets go, where he reveals himself. His songs are his home and he lets you in, But you know that to sing like that you've gotta have lost a couple of fights, To know tenderness and romance you've gotta have had your heart broken. People say that Frank hasn't talked to the press, they wanna know how he is, what's on his mind, But you know Sinatra's out there more nights than most punk bands, Selling his story through the songs, telling and articulate in the choice of those songs. Private thoughts on a public address system, Generous. This is the conundrum of Frank Sinatra, Left and right brain hardly talking Boxer and painter, actor and singer, lover and father, bandman and loner Trouble-shooter and troublemaker. The champ who would rather show you his scars than his medals. He may be putty in Barbara's hands, But I'm not gonna mess with him, are you? Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to welcome a man heavier than the Empire State, more connected than the Twin Towers, as recognizable as the Statue of Liberty, and living proof that God is a Catholic!
Will you welcome the King of New York City, Francis Albert Sinatra!...."