Hi Robert, thanks for this excellent post and an overview of the range of Frank's Christmas tunes. I didn't know the full range given I grew up on the albums my mom had, so this was really helpful as well as great fun.
For me, one of the additional reasons his holiday music was so special was because he was not only a pop star but an acto…
Hi Robert, thanks for this excellent post and an overview of the range of Frank's Christmas tunes. I didn't know the full range given I grew up on the albums my mom had, so this was really helpful as well as great fun.
For me, one of the additional reasons his holiday music was so special was because he was not only a pop star but an actor we loved to watch, as well as being a larger-than-life personality. Frank was always in the news back then, being part of Hollywood, part of the Rat Pack (with JFK's brother-in-law, Peter Lawford, as well as Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr), and dating and marrying remarkably glamorous and beautiful women like Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow.
I didn't know until I watched a documentary about him recently how generous he was to people who needed help -- people who came to him but also people he read or heard about who were down on their luck, or ill, or suffering in some way -- and he would gift them what they needed. He never sought publicity for that, did it quietly, was committed to helping those less fortunate than himself.
If I remember right, he was also instrumental in changing the conditions for minority singers like Sammy Davis Jr, insisting on equal conditions and non-segregated audiences.
But you're right, it was also his attention to the music. He worked at everything, just made it look elegant and effortless.
Thanks again for collaborating with me this year. It's been my pleasure! Wishing you a happy holiday season!
Ellen, what is the name of the documentary, and is it available to be streamed? This aspect of Sinatra's personality is one which I have heard about repeatedly, but have been able to learn almost nothing about. He does indeed seem to have hidden his charities well, which attests to his genuineness in making them.
I'm pretty sure it's Sinatra in Palm Springs, which is available on youtube -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKbB3HyweWY. All about his life there, with a lot of interviews with people who knew him personally and witnessed his generosity. A very enjoyable documentary as well.
Hi Robert, thanks for this excellent post and an overview of the range of Frank's Christmas tunes. I didn't know the full range given I grew up on the albums my mom had, so this was really helpful as well as great fun.
For me, one of the additional reasons his holiday music was so special was because he was not only a pop star but an actor we loved to watch, as well as being a larger-than-life personality. Frank was always in the news back then, being part of Hollywood, part of the Rat Pack (with JFK's brother-in-law, Peter Lawford, as well as Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr), and dating and marrying remarkably glamorous and beautiful women like Ava Gardner and Mia Farrow.
I didn't know until I watched a documentary about him recently how generous he was to people who needed help -- people who came to him but also people he read or heard about who were down on their luck, or ill, or suffering in some way -- and he would gift them what they needed. He never sought publicity for that, did it quietly, was committed to helping those less fortunate than himself.
If I remember right, he was also instrumental in changing the conditions for minority singers like Sammy Davis Jr, insisting on equal conditions and non-segregated audiences.
But you're right, it was also his attention to the music. He worked at everything, just made it look elegant and effortless.
Thanks again for collaborating with me this year. It's been my pleasure! Wishing you a happy holiday season!
Season's Greetings to you too, Ellen, and thank you for the kind words on my Sinatra piece.
Ellen, what is the name of the documentary, and is it available to be streamed? This aspect of Sinatra's personality is one which I have heard about repeatedly, but have been able to learn almost nothing about. He does indeed seem to have hidden his charities well, which attests to his genuineness in making them.
I'm pretty sure it's Sinatra in Palm Springs, which is available on youtube -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKbB3HyweWY. All about his life there, with a lot of interviews with people who knew him personally and witnessed his generosity. A very enjoyable documentary as well.
Thank you!