Books: 'Frank: The Voice' and 'Sinatra: The Chairman' by James Kaplan

Frank: The Voice

Anything you’ve ever wanted to know about Frank Sinatra is in these two books ...

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.

Sinatra: The Chairman

In two pages I learn more about Frank Sinatra than I did about David Bowie from Dylan Jones’s whole book, David Bowie: A Life, which was a particularly one-dimensional affair. See my David Bowie: A Life review.

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.

Frank and Ava

1. Ava Gardner (the one that got away) had an affair with the director of a film she starred in (Ride, Vaquero!, 1953) while she was married to Frank. The director was John Farrow. A few years down the line Frank married the guy’s daughter, Mia. How’d you like them apples? A bit of not quite instant karma.

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.

Kaplan's effort is an astonishing, daring and flawless juggling act.

Brad Dexter

Even an aside is delivered with wit and insight. For instance, we learn about an incident when Frank nearly drowned. There’s a difference of opinion over who saved him or even whether he needed saving. One possible rescuer is given as Brad Dexter. Kaplan says he’s the member of The Magnificent Seven (1960), who everyone forgets. Test your friends, he’s right.

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.

Frank Sinatra, 23, 'iconic mugshot'

There are a couple of very minor errors that I have to point out because I’m an editor by trade. The image on p. 14 of the first volume, of Frank’s first communion, is repeated on p. 66 but captioned the ‘iconic mugshot’, supposedly taken when young Frank was arrested (for seduction no less). Plus he loses a couple of points for ‘iconic’, the most overused word in the English language. I can't remember the number of times I’ve exclaimed to the TV when they use the phrase, which seems to be daily, ‘iconic image’, ‘AN ICON IS AN IMAGE!’

James Kaplan

Also, the subtitle for the first volume, Frank is different on the title page to the jacket. The Making of a Legend vs The Voice.

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.