SINGER, ARRANGER, SON

Right from the start, lumbered with that name, Frank Sinatra Jr lived in his father’s shadow. He grew up around rehearsals, recordings, always listening. As a singer, he sounded like dad; an echo of greatness. In December 1963, aged 19, mere months into his own singing career, Junior was kidnapped. After Frank paid the ransom, Junior led the FBI back to the kidnappers, based solely on the sounds of the journey. Always listening. At the trial, accused of collaborating with his abductors as a publicity stunt, something broke. Frank Jr turned inward, bitter, living a solitary life on the road. He had a great talent, best heard outside of standards, as on 1971’s Black Night and Was (Not Was)’s Wedding Vows In Vegas. In 1988, Junior became his father’s arranger, but there was often a cruelty in dad’s on-stage treatment of his son. This writer met Frank Sinatra Jr a few years back and he seemed resigned, tired. But he knew his music. Always listening. Andrew Male