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5 Interesting Facts About Frank Sinatra

February 2, 2016 by

Frank Sinatra’s voice made him quite possibly the most popular singer of the 20th century, delivering personal lyrics and irresistible melodies with command and flair. He was a tough guy with a softer side, and American audiences simply couldn’t get enough of Ol' Blue Eyes. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Frank Sinatra.

  1. Frank Sinatra was so inspired by Bing Crosby that he dropped out of high school to pursue singing as a career. He performed at local nightclubs in the Hoboken, New Jersey, area and even got some air time on the city’s radio stations.
  2. After noticing his local success, bandleader Tommy Dorsey invited Sinatra to join his band. Sinatra and Dorsey enjoyed two years of hit songs together, but eventually Sinatra quit to pursue a solo career.
  3. In just three short years between 1943 and 1946, Sinatra released 17 Top 10 singles.
  4. In addition to his incredible voice, Sinatra was also a talented actor. He made his film debut in 1943 with the movie Higher and Higher, and in 1953 he won an Oscar for From Here to Eternity.
  5. Though Sinatra was signed to Capitol Records for the beginning of his recording career, he left the label to start his own label, Reprise, in the late 1950s. Warner Bros. bought Reprise, and Sinatra then started his own film production company, Artanis.

Are you a Sinatra fan? Tell us which song by Ol' Blue Eyes is your favorite!

Frank Sinatra [Biography]
Frank Sinatra Biography [Rolling Stone]
About Frank Sinatra [MTV]

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5 Fun Facts About Legendary Guitarist Jimi Hendrix

April 18, 2014 by

He’s known for his incredible guitar licks, but there’s a whole lot more to know about the fascinating Jimi Hendrix. Here are a few interesting facts about one of the greatest guitarists of all time:

  1. Though his guitar skills are unparalleled, Hendrix had no formal training when he began playing. He taught himself to play guitar as a teenager by listening to blues guitarists at his childhood home in Seattle, Washington.
  2. Jimi Hendrix was left handed, but instead of playing a left-handed guitar, he simply took a standard Fender Stratocaster and played it upside down. Hendrix is also often credited with being one of the first guitarists to master electronic sound effects, like feedback and distortion.
  3. Hendrix joined the army in 1961 with hopes of becoming a paratrooper. He managed to play music even while he was enlisted, forming a band called The King Casuals.
  4. Before branching out on his own, Hendrix was a backup guitarist for Little Richard, Sam Cooke, the Isley Brothers, and other recognizable names.
  5. Hendrix started the Jimi Hendrix Experience in London after his manager, Chas Chandler of the Animals, suggested that he move there. The band became popular among England’s most elite musicians, from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to The Who.

Jimi Hendrix Biography [Rolling Stone]
Jimi Hendrix [Biography]
Jimi Hendrix [Britannica]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

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