Frank Sinatra and Popular Culture: Essays on an American Icon

Frank Sinatra’s influence on American popular culture has been wide reaching and long lasting. In this one volume, essays written by major scholars, historians, music critics and popular culture personalities, offer a myriad of perspectives and commentary on this multifaceted musical legend. The essays attest to the interest in Sinatra that has spanned across 60 years. Sinatra affected American popular culture on and off the musical stage as evidenced by a reprint of Frank Sinatra’s essay on civil rights and the evils of racial and religious prejudice that introduces this collection of scholarly writings. From singer to actor, from mass media personality to humanitarian and culture trendsetter, the many contributions of Frank Sinatra are here examined and brought to life. The research presented in these pages should appeal to scholars of popular music and American popular culture, as well as to Frank Sinatra fans and to those with a general interest in popular music. These essays are organized within three main sections enhanced by a chronological listing of Sinatra’s artistic and humanitarian accomplishments. A comprehensive bibliography provides a useful research guide.