Challenges in the Life of Frank Sinatra in a Detailed Timeline
A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Frank Sinatra's life and career.
Frank Sinatra, nicknamed "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", was a highly popular American singer and actor of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists globally, with estimated record sales of 150 million. Sinatra's widespread appeal cemented his place as a significant figure in entertainment history.
1931: Attended A. J. Demarest High School and Expulsion
In 1931, Sinatra attended A. J. Demarest High School (now Hoboken High School) but was expelled for "general rowdiness" after 47 days.
August 1942: Legal Battle Settled
In August 1942, Sinatra's legal battle with Tommy Dorsey was settled, paving the way for his solo career.
1942: Musician's Strike
In 1942, the musician's strike had started, which impacted the music industry and recording process for many artists, including Sinatra.
December 11, 1943: Sinatra Classified 4-F
On December 11, 1943, Frank Sinatra was officially classified as 4-F, meaning "Registrant not acceptable for military service", due to a perforated eardrum, although Army files suggested other underlying reasons.
November 1945: Involvement in Froebel High School Strike
In November 1945, Frank Sinatra was invited to Gary, Indiana, to try to settle a strike by white students against the "Pro-Negro" policies of the new principal, which led to accusations of being a communist.
1948: Sinatra's Popularity Slips
By the end of 1948, Frank Sinatra's popularity began to decline, slipping to fourth on DownBeat's annual poll of most popular singers.
1949: Poll Decline and Album Criticism in 1949
In 1949, Frank Sinatra was pushed out of the top spots in polls for the first time since 1943. His album "Frankly Sentimental" was panned by DownBeat.
January 1950: Death of George Evans
In January 1950, Frank Sinatra faced a significant personal loss with the death of his publicist, George Evans, which deeply affected him and his career.
1950: Vocal Hemorrhage
In 1950, Frank Sinatra suffered from a vocal hemorrhage, an event that affected his singing style.
April 1952: Sinatra Performs at Kauai County Fair
In April 1952, Frank Sinatra's declining popularity was evident as he performed at the Kauai County Fair in Hawaii, signifying a low point in his career.
September 17, 1952: Last Columbia Recording
On September 17, 1952, Frank Sinatra recorded his last studio recording for Columbia, "Why Try To Change Me Now", marking the end of his relationship with the record label.
1962: Snubbed by President Kennedy
In 1962, Frank Sinatra was snubbed by President Kennedy, who stayed with Bing Crosby in Palm Springs due to FBI concerns about Sinatra's alleged Mafia connections.
February 1997: Suffering a Heart Attack
In February 1997, Frank Sinatra suffered a heart attack and made no further public appearances.
