Frank Sinatra is filling a West End theatre again. Sinatra The Musical began performances at London's Aldwych Theatre on 3 June 2026 and is booking until 10 April 2027. It is directed by Kathleen Marshall with a book by Joe DiPietro, and it picks up the story in 1942, when a young singer fresh out of the Tommy Dorsey band needed one big night to take off.
Nearly three decades after his death, Ol' Blue Eyes is still the benchmark for anyone who sings a standard. Here is how the boy from Hoboken became the Chairman of the Board. Browse more great voices in our Music collection.
Frank Sinatra Fact File
| Full name | Francis Albert Sinatra |
| Born | 12 December 1915 |
| Place of birth | Hoboken, New Jersey, USA |
| Died | 14 May 1998, Los Angeles (aged 82) |
| Occupation | Singer, actor, record label founder |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1935-1995 |
| Known for | Traditional pop, swing, jazz standards, film |
| Labels | Columbia, Capitol, Reprise (his own) |
| Nicknames | Ol' Blue Eyes, the Chairman of the Board |
Career History
| Years | Label | Key albums |
|---|---|---|
| 1943-1952 | Columbia | The Voice of Frank Sinatra (1946) |
| 1953-1962 | Capitol | In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956), Come Fly with Me (1958), Come Dance with Me! (1959) |
| 1961-1981 | Reprise | September of My Years (1965), Strangers in the Night (1966), My Way (1969) |
| 1984 | Qwest | L.A. Is My Lady (1984) |
| 1993-1994 | Capitol | Duets (1993), Duets II (1994) |
Sinatra recorded more than 50 studio albums across three main labels, and the Capitol and Reprise years overlap because he launched his own label before his Capitol contract ran out.
Early Years in Hoboken
Francis Albert Sinatra grew up in Hoboken, New Jersey, and got his first big break in 1935 when he won the Major Bowes Amateur Hour as part of the Hoboken Four. In 1939 he joined Harry James's band, then moved to Tommy Dorsey's orchestra later that year, where he learned the breath control and phrasing that became his trademark.
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Sinatramania and the Silver Screen
When Sinatra opened at New York's Paramount Theatre in December 1942, the screaming bobby-soxers gave the world a new word: Sinatramania. Columbia signed him as a solo artist in 1943. He also became a film star, appearing in On the Town and later winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity (1953), a role that reignited his career.
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The Capitol Years
Signing with Capitol in 1953 opened his richest period. In the Wee Small Hours (1955) is often called one of the first great concept albums, while Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956) showed off his swagger. Films kept coming too, including Guys and Dolls, The Man with the Golden Arm and later The Manchurian Candidate, and his Rat Pack shows became the stuff of Las Vegas legend.
Reprise, My Way and Legacy
In 1960 Sinatra founded his own label, Reprise, giving him creative control rare for any artist of the time. Strangers in the Night won Record of the Year, and he recorded My Way, with English lyrics written for him by Paul Anka, just after Christmas 1968. He announced his retirement in 1971 but soon came back, and in 1993 Duets introduced him to a whole new generation. He gave his final concert in 1995.
Awards
Music
- Grammy Album of the Year for Come Dance with Me!, September of My Years and A Man and His Music
- Grammy Record of the Year for Strangers in the Night
Film
- Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, From Here to Eternity
- Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes (1971)
National Honours
- Kennedy Center Honors (1983)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (1985)
- Congressional Gold Medal (1997)
Away From the Spotlight
Sinatra gave generously to charity. He performed benefit concerts in Mexico in 1961 and 1962, and in 1964 dedicated the Frank Sinatra International Youth Center for Arab and Jewish children in Nazareth. His three children, Nancy, Frank Jr. and Tina, all worked in entertainment, with Nancy becoming a hitmaker in her own right.
FAQs
How old was Frank Sinatra when he died?
He was 82 when he died in Los Angeles on 14 May 1998.
What was Frank Sinatra's real name?
His full name was Francis Albert Sinatra.
Where was Frank Sinatra born?
He was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on 12 December 1915.
Why was Frank Sinatra called Ol' Blue Eyes?
The nickname came from his famous blue eyes, and he was also known as the Chairman of the Board.
Did Frank Sinatra win an Oscar?
Yes, he won Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity.
Is there a Frank Sinatra musical in London?
Yes. Sinatra The Musical is playing at the Aldwych Theatre, booking until 10 April 2027.
Shop the Frank Sinatra Collection
Our Frank Sinatra pieces are tribute fan designs, made to order in the UK for anyone who loves the golden age of song.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Elvis Presley Career Story and Stevie Wonder Career Story.
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