Legends of Music: Frank Sinatra

Believing the character of Johnny Fontane to be based on him in an unflattering way, Frank Sinatra publicly campaigned and enlisted the help of local Italian-American groups to prevent "The Godfather" (1972) from being made.

Following a feud with Alan Livingston and Capitol Records, his home since 1953, Frank Sinatra started Reprise Records and promised artists creative control over their music. The label grew into a music industry powerhouse, releasing albums by Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and Duke Ellington.

His position as head of the label earned Sinatra the nickname "Chairman of the Board."

In 1956, Frank Sinatra received his only Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his work as a junkie trying to kick the habit in "The Man with the Golden Arm."

Sinatra won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 1953's "From Here to Eternity." He was also later awarded two honorary Academy Awards.

Backed by Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians, "America, I Hear You Singing" (1964) is a collection of patriotic songs (such as "This Land is Your Land" and "This is a Great Country") recorded by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby as a tribute to John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated the previous year. 

In 1968, Frank Sinatra recorded "My Way," written for him by Paul Anka, in just one take.

Despite it being considered his signature song, Sinatra claimed to "detest" singing "My Way," feeling that it came across as a "self-aggrandizing tribute," and that boastfulness was a quality he despised.