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| Frank: The Voice |
I absolutely loved both Frank Sinatra biographies by James Kaplan: Frank: The Voice and Sinatra: The Chairman. Any criticism he expresses is tempered with insight and understanding so although Frank’s behaviour is presented as often bad, it’s interpreted with respect and love for the man and his talent.
First, they are incredibly well written, every word apposite, with none of that almost inevitable repetition you get from inferior biographers.
Second, they’re so meticulously researched that I’m in awe of his skill. Everything is assiduously and entertainingly followed up on, connected with every relevant part or fact or rumour. They really are exhaustive. Because of this, they are huge tomes and will take many hours to read – but they’re worth every minute.
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| Sinatra: The Chairman |
For instance, although they
sound a little like the facts that would be gleaned from a girl’s magazine
questioning a teenybopper idol (am I showing my age?), it’s fascinating to me
that Frank’s favourite foods (apart from marinara pasta) were cans of franksnbeans or
grilled cheese sandwiches. I love this, it shows he didn’t stray far from his
roots, that he was more than satisfied with something ordinary that anyone
could eat at any time. You can take the boy out of Hoboken … .
And that his favourite colour
was orange and his homes, planes (yes, let’s not forget that he was super rich
and would think nothing of sending one of these planes to pick up someone he
wanted to see at the drop of a hat) were decorated in orange and
black.
Here are just four examples
of Kaplan's incredible attention to detail and the way he manages to relate and
interpolate so many seemingly disparate facts.
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| Frank and Ava |
2. He reminded me of a
fact that I had forgotten, that the Beatles wrote ‘Dear Prudence’ to Mia
Farrow’s sister to convince her to leave her room and join them, when they were all in India with the Maharishi
Mahesh Yogi.
3. It is pointed out that one
of the singing duo, Jan and Dean, Dean Torrence, who later appeared on a bill
with Sinatra, was originally charged in the kidnap of Frankie, Jr, Frank’s son.
4. We learn that Sinatra was desperate to play Angelo Maggio in From Here to Eternity (1953) after reading the book by James Jones, before a movie was even dreamt of. He was determined to get this role, sending telegrams and letters to director Fred Zinnemann, begging for the part and signing himself as Maggio. He ended up delivering possibly the performance of his career and winning an Academy Award.
4. We learn that Sinatra was desperate to play Angelo Maggio in From Here to Eternity (1953) after reading the book by James Jones, before a movie was even dreamt of. He was determined to get this role, sending telegrams and letters to director Fred Zinnemann, begging for the part and signing himself as Maggio. He ended up delivering possibly the performance of his career and winning an Academy Award.
Kaplan's effort is an astonishing, daring
and flawless juggling act.
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| Brad Dexter |
It’s as if we’re tracing the
patterns of certain threads in a tapestry, from where they end back to where
they start or vice versa, everything analysed, examined as one brilliant colour
or interesting shape, understood separately, but also as part of the whole
glorious picture. Or it’s a patchwork quilt, designed by an artist so that each
patch conveys an element of the story. It’s a work that seems effortless but of
course isn’t. I have to give Kaplan kudos for making it seem so.
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| Frank Sinatra, 23, 'iconic mugshot' |
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| James Kaplan |
But, if you're at all interested in Sinatra, you must read these books - they will fuel your fascination and satisfy your curiosity.
For more on Sinatra, see Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.
For more on music
biographies, see:
Ray Davies: X-Ray 1
Ray Davies: X-Ray 2
Ray Davies: X-Ray 3
Dave Davies: Kink 1
Dave Davies: Kink 2.
Ray Davies: X-Ray 1
Ray Davies: X-Ray 2
Ray Davies: X-Ray 3
Dave Davies: Kink 1
Dave Davies: Kink 2.
