1. Frank Sinatra, The Rat Pack
& Crooning
By Nick Goultas, Paul Duchene & Joe Lavigne
2. Frank Sinatra, The Rat Pack
& Crooning
By Nick Goultas, Paul Duchene & Joe Lavigne
3. What is Crooning?
Crooning is a genre of music where musicians sing in an operatic and smooth manner
that gives listeners a sense of intimacy.
Most often times the singer is backed by a large band playing with a very orchestrated
sound, but the vocal is the most important part of the music.
Crooning has been influenced by many different types of music. Big bang, Blues and
Jazz all have a profound influence on crooning, mostly seen in the instrumentation of
Technologies Influence on Crooning
Crooning was not possible until the invention of the microphone. With the invention,
vocalists no longer would need to focus on projecting their voice to reach the crowd at
the back of a concert hall, but instead could now focus on singing in a soft,
compassionate manner.
Crooning also became popular through the help of other new technologies. Many
crooners were featured on public radio stations which were beginning to develop
during the 1920s-1930s which is the same time crooning was growing in popularity.
4. Brief History of Crooning
Crooning developed in the 1920s after the invention of
the microphone.
During the 1930s many people saw crooning to be a
passing fad, but remained a dominant genre up until the
1950's.
The rise of rock and roll brought end to the bast
popularity of the crooners.
Such crooners as Gene Austin, Al Bowly, and Art,
Gillham are credited for being inventors of the crooning
5. Rudy Vallee (1901-1986)
Born in Island Port, Vermont in a French
Canadian and Irish family.
Developed his sense for music by playing
drums in high school band and the
clarinet and saxophone in various bands
around New England.
Inspired later crooners to model their
voices after instruments.
First example of the 20th century mass
media star from appearing in movies,
television, the radio, and more.
6. Historical Significance of Crooning
World War I
- Victory in the war brought joy and optimism were at an all time high in the
U.S. It was this happiness that allowed for the love and virtue displayed in
crooning to infiltrate the hearts of Americans. Their music further uplifted the
people, giving them a sentimental feeling of what patriotism was all about.
People wanted that feel-good atmosphere and crooners gave it to them with their
music.
World War II
-Unlike the first world war, the second brought the demise of the crooners. With
the new war starting, people wanted something more upbeat to break out from
their proper manner. Rebellion was the theme of the new emerging Rock and
Roll which brought a fall to Crooner's popularity.
7. Famous Crooners
Bing Crosby - Most famous for his rendition of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas"
Nat King Cole - Notable songs include A Blossom Fell and Ramblin Rose
Tony Bennet - Signature song is "I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Bobby Darin - Known for "Somewhere Beyond the Sea"
8. Frank Sinatra
"Theme from 'New York New York'" performance from
the "Sinatra: The Man and His Music "
9. Frank Sinatra
"Theme from 'New York New York'" performance from
the "Sinatra: The Man and His Music "
10. a.k.a Ol’ Blue Eyes
Childhood & Early Life
Born and raised in New Jersey.
Left high school without graduating, he only attended 47 days
before being expelled.
Sinatra had several manual jobs but music was his main passion
and carefully studied Big Band Jazz.
By the age of 8, he began singing for tips in local bars and
nightclubs.
11. Work with James & Dorsey
In June 1939, Harry James hired Sinatra on a one year
contract for $75 a week. Sinatra released ten commercial
tracks , including “All or Nothing At All.
Later in the year, Tommy Dorsey asked Sinatra to lead
his band. By signing with Dorsey's band, one of the
hottest at the time, he increased his visibility with the
American public.
James recognised the opportunity Dorsey offered and
released Sinatra from his contract.
Sinatra’s relationship with Dorsey was troubled, because
of their contract, which awarded Dorsey a third of
Sinatra’s lifetime earnings.
A story appeared that mobster Sam Giancana pressured Dorsey in to letting Sinatra out of his
contract for a few thousand dollars. This was fictionalised in the movie The Godfather
12. Sinatramania
Sinatra made a “legendary opening” at the Paramount Theatre in New York, in1942
“I thought the goddamned building was going to cave in. I never
heard such a commotion”
Jack Benny
When Sinatra returned to the Paramount in October 1944, 3500 fans caused a
near riot outside the venue because they were not allowed in.
Sinatra appealed to Bobby Soxers
Bobby Soxer is a coinage denoting fans of swing
music and its creators, usually teenage girls.
13. Decline of Career
"I think Frank Sinatra was the most hated man of
World War II, much more than Hitler"
William Manchester
Sinatra had a few declines in his illustrious career. His career and appeal to new teen
audiences declined as he moved into his mid-30s. Also when Sinatra did not serve in
World War 2 due to a perforated eardrum but later it was revealed that doctors also
written that he was a “neurotic” and “not acceptable material from a psychiatric
standpoint”
“Sinatra paid $40,000 to avoid service in World War II”
(but the FBI found no evidence of this)
Accusation from Walter Winchell
14. Rebirth of Career
The rebirth of Sinatra’s career began with From Here to Eternity (1953), for which he won
an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Later in 1953, Sinatra signed with Capitol Records, where he worked with many of the
finest musical arrangers of the era
Sinatra reinvented himself, with a series of albums featuring darker emotional material.
In the Well Small Hours (1955), Where Are You? (1957) and
Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely (1958)
15. I Get a Kick out of You
Preformed on The Jack Benny show in 1970
16. I Get a Kick out of You
Preformed on The Jack Benny show in 1970
17. Controversies
Mafia Connection
Sinatra gathered considerable attention due to his alleged personal and professional link
with organised crime.
The FBI kept records amounting to 2,430 pages, with his alleged Mafia ties, his ardent
New Deal politics and his friendship with John F. Kennedy.
They also kept Sinatra under surveillance for almost five decades, starting in the 1940s.
Other celebrities were mentioned in the files such as Dean Martin & Marilyn Monroe.
18. What was the Rat Pack?
Emulated Humphrey Bogart
Developed the "gangster" persona in the
1930s and 1940s
Developed celebrity status
Singing and Acting
Political Presence
Performances
20. Singing
Adopted
Crooning Style
Professional
Sex appeal
21. Acting & Movies
It Happened in Brooklyn (1947) (Sinatra, Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964) (Sinatra,
Lawford) Martin, Davis, and initially Lawford, who was
replaced by Bing Crosby)
Some Came Running (1958) (Sinatra, Martin,
and MacLaine) Marriage on the Rocks (1965) (Sinatra and
Martin)
Never So Few (1959) (Sinatra, Lawford, and
initially Davis, who was replaced by Steve Texas Across the River (1966) (Martin and
McQueen Bishop)
Ocean's 11 (1960) (Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Salt and Pepper (1968) (Davis and Lawford)
Lawford, and Bishop)
One More Time (1970) (Davis and Lawford)
Sergeants 3 (1962) (Sinatra, Martin, Davis,
Lawford, and Bishop) The Cannonball Run (1981) (Martin and
Davis)
4 for Texas (1963) (Sinatra and Martin)
Cannonball Run II (1984) (Sinatra, Martin,
Davis, and MacLaine
They also preformed comedy in variety shows
22. Political Presence
"Brother in Lawford"
Campaigned for the Kennedy
and the democratic party
during the presidential election
and raised a lot of money
23. Performances
Usually accompanied each other.
Made many surprise appearances.
Strived for entertainment, not just music.
24. Performances
Usually accompanied each other.
Made many surprise appearances.
Strived for entertainment, not just music.
25. Ocean’s 11 End Scene
The backing track was "Ee O Eleven" by Sammy Davis Junior.
26. Ocean’s 11 End Scene
The backing track was "Ee O Eleven" by Sammy Davis Junior.
