Who Is Frank Sinatra's Favorite Singer? Uncovering Ol' Blue Eyes' Musical Idols

Have you ever wondered about the musical tastes of the greats, perhaps what melodies moved the very artists who shaped generations? It's a question many music lovers ponder, especially when thinking about someone as iconic as Frank Sinatra. Here, in the early days of November 2023, we're taking a look at a fascinating piece of music history: the person who truly captured the ear and heart of Ol' Blue Eyes himself. It’s quite a story, really, how one legend looked up to another.

For someone whose voice could command an audience, who set a standard for vocal performance, it seems almost natural to ask: who did Frank Sinatra listen to when he was coming up? Who were the voices that inspired his own unique sound? You see, even the most original artists often stand on the shoulders of those who came before them, picking up little bits and pieces, then making them their own. It's a process, too, that helps shape their art.

Uncovering Sinatra's musical heroes helps us appreciate his artistry even more, and it offers a window into the sounds that defined an era. It's a bit like looking behind the curtain, really, to find out what made the man tick, what sounds resonated with him. So, let's explore this rather interesting question and find out who earned the top spot in Frank Sinatra's personal musical hall of fame.

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Table of Contents

• Frank Sinatra: A Brief Look at a Legend
• The Undisputed Idol: Bing Crosby
  • The Early Days and a Profound Influence
  • A Friendship and a Rivalry
• Other Voices That Resonated
• How Sinatra's Admiration Shaped His Art
• People Also Ask About Frank Sinatra's Musical Tastes
  • Was Bing Crosby Frank Sinatra's Idol?
  • Who Influenced Frank Sinatra's Singing Style?
  • Did Frank Sinatra Ever Sing with His Favorite Artist?
• A Legacy of Listening

Frank Sinatra: A Brief Look at a Legend

Before we get to his top pick, it helps to remember a little about the man himself. Frank Sinatra, born Francis Albert Sinatra, was a singer and actor who, you know, became one of the most beloved and respected entertainers of the 20th century. His career stretched over sixty years, and he left behind a body of work that truly stands the test of time. He was, in a way, a master storyteller through song, able to convey deep feelings with just his voice.

From his early days as a teen idol with the big bands, through his comeback as a saloon singer, and right up to his status as "The Voice," Sinatra always had this amazing ability to connect with people. He made every lyric feel personal, every note seem just right. He was, quite simply, a phenomenon, and his influence on popular music is still felt today, very much so.

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The Undisputed Idol: Bing Crosby

So, who held the top spot in Frank Sinatra's musical heart? The answer, without much doubt, is Bing Crosby. Sinatra spoke often and very openly about his admiration for Crosby, calling him a huge source of inspiration. It's a rather well-known fact among those who follow the history of American popular song. Crosby, you see, was the biggest star of his time, long before Sinatra truly hit his stride.

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Crosby's relaxed, almost conversational style of singing, his way of using the microphone to create an intimate feeling, really captivated young Frank. It was a completely different approach from the more formal, operatic singing that was common before the microphone became central to performance. Crosby, in a way, showed how to use this new technology to connect directly with listeners, and that was something Sinatra really picked up on, very much so.

The Early Days and a Profound Influence

When Frank Sinatra was just starting out, working his way up in the music world, Bing Crosby was already a massive name. Crosby's records were everywhere, and his radio shows were hugely popular. Sinatra would spend hours, apparently, listening to Crosby's recordings, trying to understand how he achieved that smooth, effortless sound. He studied Crosby's phrasing, his breath control, and that distinct way he had of telling a story with just his voice.

It's often said that Sinatra learned a great deal about microphone technique from Crosby. Before Crosby, singers had to project their voices to the back of the room. Crosby, with the advent of the electric microphone, showed how to sing softly, intimately, directly into the mic, and still fill a large space with sound. This, you know, was a revelation for young singers, and Sinatra, quite clearly, absorbed this lesson completely. He learned to "croon," a style Crosby essentially pioneered, and then made it his own, adding his unique emotional depth.

Sinatra, reportedly, would even go to Crosby's live performances, standing in the wings, just watching and listening. He was, in some respects, a student of the master. He wanted to understand every little nuance, every subtle choice Crosby made. It was, arguably, a kind of apprenticeship, just by observation. He once said, "I learned everything from him." That's a pretty strong statement from someone who became just as famous, if not more so, in his own right.

A Friendship and a Rivalry

As Sinatra's own star began to rise, he and Crosby became friends, and sometimes, a little bit of rivals. They even appeared together in films, like "High Society," where their chemistry was obvious. Despite the friendly competition, Sinatra's respect for Crosby never wavered. He always spoke of Crosby with deep admiration, acknowledging the path Crosby had paved for vocalists like himself.

Crosby, for his part, also recognized Sinatra's immense talent. He saw the fire and the passion in Sinatra's singing, and he knew that Sinatra was taking the art form to new places. It was, you know, a mutual appreciation, even if the public sometimes tried to pit them against each other. The media, you know, loves a good rivalry, but their personal connection, apparently, ran deeper than that. They understood each other, as performers, and that, is that, a really important thing.

The story of Sinatra and Crosby is a classic example of how artists can inspire one another across generations. Crosby, the established king, saw his legacy continued and transformed by Sinatra, the rising star. It was, in a way, a passing of the torch, a musical lineage that shaped the sound of American popular music for decades. This relationship, really, shows how influence can work in the arts.

Other Voices That Resonated

While Bing Crosby was undoubtedly Frank Sinatra's primary vocal hero, he also held other artists in high regard. Sinatra had a broad appreciation for talent, and he learned from many different sources. He wasn't just a fan of male crooners, either; he also admired female vocalists and instrumentalists who brought something special to their craft.

One such artist was Billie Holiday. Sinatra was, you know, deeply moved by her unique phrasing and her ability to convey raw emotion. He respected how she could take a song and make it completely her own, pouring her very soul into every line. Her influence, perhaps, is seen in Sinatra's own approach to lyrics, how he always tried to find the deeper meaning and deliver it with sincerity. He saw her as a true artist, and that, is that, a very telling sign of his own musical sensibilities.

He also had a great respect for the musicians he worked with, like Tommy Dorsey. While Dorsey was a bandleader and trombonist, Sinatra learned a lot about breath control and phrasing from watching and listening to Dorsey's trombone playing. Dorsey's long, smooth melodic lines, you know, taught Sinatra how to sustain notes and create a seamless flow in his singing. It's a bit of an unusual influence, perhaps, but a very important one for his technique, and it really shaped his sound, too it's almost.

Sinatra's appreciation for these diverse talents shows that he was always learning, always looking for ways to refine his own artistry. He was, in some respects, a sponge, soaking up good ideas from wherever he found them. This openness to different styles and approaches, you know, helped him develop his incredibly versatile and enduring vocal style. He was, quite frankly, always trying to get better, and that, is that, a pretty admirable quality.

How Sinatra's Admiration Shaped His Art

The influences Frank Sinatra absorbed, particularly from Bing Crosby, didn't just make him a good singer; they helped him become a truly great one. He didn't just copy his heroes; he took what he learned and transformed it, creating something entirely new and distinctly "Sinatra." He learned the art of intimate singing from Crosby, but then he added his own powerful emotional range and sophisticated phrasing.

For example, Crosby was known for his relaxed, almost off-hand delivery. Sinatra took that ease and combined it with a dramatic intensity that was all his own. He could be tender and vulnerable one moment, then powerful and commanding the next, all within the same song. This range, you know, was something he honed over many years, building on the foundations laid by those he admired.

His careful study of phrasing, learned from both vocalists like Crosby and instrumentalists like Dorsey, allowed him to tell a story within a song like no one else. He knew exactly when to pause, when to emphasize a word, when to let a note linger. This control, you know, made his performances incredibly compelling, drawing listeners deep into the narrative of the song. It's a very subtle thing, but it makes all the difference, apparently.

Ultimately, Sinatra's admiration for other singers wasn't just about imitation; it was about inspiration. It was about taking the best elements he saw in others and using them as building blocks for his own unique vocal architecture. He respected the past, but he was always looking forward, pushing the boundaries of what a popular singer could do. This, you know, is how true artistry often develops, through a mix of respect for tradition and a desire for innovation.

You can learn more about Frank Sinatra's early career on our site, and perhaps you'd like to check out this page on the history of crooning too.

People Also Ask About Frank Sinatra's Musical Tastes

Was Bing Crosby Frank Sinatra's Idol?

Yes, absolutely. Frank Sinatra openly and repeatedly said that Bing Crosby was his biggest musical idol and a huge influence on his singing style. Sinatra would listen to Crosby's records constantly when he was starting out, learning how to use the microphone and how to phrase songs in a more relaxed, conversational way. Crosby was, you know, the superstar of the era before Sinatra, and he set the standard for what a popular male vocalist could be. Sinatra, quite clearly, took those lessons and built his own amazing career on them, very much so.

Who Influenced Frank Sinatra's Singing Style?

While Bing Crosby was his primary vocal hero, Frank Sinatra also drew inspiration from other artists. He admired Billie Holiday for her incredible emotional depth and unique phrasing, which, you know, probably influenced his own approach to telling a story with lyrics. He also learned a great deal about breath control and smooth, long melodic lines from listening to instrumentalists, particularly Tommy Dorsey, the trombonist and bandleader he worked with early in his career. So, it was a mix of influences, but Crosby was, in some respects, the main one, and that, is that, a really important point.

Did Frank Sinatra Ever Sing with His Favorite Artist?

Yes, he certainly did. Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, his favorite singer, performed together on several occasions. They appeared in the classic musical film "High Society" in 1956, where they even sang a duet called "Well, Did You Evah!" They also shared the stage on various television specials and radio broadcasts over the years. Their performances together were always a treat for audiences, showcasing their mutual respect and their distinct, yet complementary, vocal styles. It was, you know, a wonderful thing to see two legends share the spotlight, and it really showed their admiration for each other, too it's almost.

A Legacy of Listening

It's clear that Frank Sinatra, the legendary "Voice," was also a keen listener. His deep admiration for Bing Crosby, along with other artists like Billie Holiday and the instrumental artistry of Tommy Dorsey, helped shape his own unparalleled talent. He didn't just sing; he absorbed, he learned, and then he innovated, creating a style that continues to captivate people around the world. It's a reminder that even the greatest artists are often inspired by those who came before them, building on a rich tradition while forging their own unique path.

Understanding who Frank Sinatra looked up to helps us appreciate the layers of influence that go into creating a truly iconic sound. It's a fascinating look at the connections between musical generations, and how one artist's passion for another's work can lead to something truly special. So, the next time you hear a Sinatra tune, you might, you know, just hear a little echo of the artists who first moved him, too it's almost, and that, is that, a wonderful thing to consider.

For more insights into the history of popular music and its greatest figures, you might want to explore the Jazz at Lincoln Center website. They have some truly interesting information there, very much so.