Peter Gordon
Old Blue Eyes: Defining The Music Of An Era
If you’re a collector then anything vintage is what you think of when you think of “classic” antiques. All you really have to be called classic vinyl is to simply be an record because recording companies no longer make vinyl like they used to. Thanks to advances in technology, all of our music is digitally made. However, before there was a CD or MP3 there was vinyl. For previous eras, pop music meant Frank Sinatra. Any considerable collector of well-liked music will surely have some Frank Sinatra vinyl in their library.
It’s hard to imagine what kind of impact a singer can have before the age of MTV or YouTube.
It didn’t take much for Sinatra to generate enthusiasm. His female fans were dubbed “bobby-soxers” and they followed him around the world. Sinatra made his mark appearing on many well liked radio programs in the 40’s.
After his status waned in the late 40’s, Frank made a amazing comeback in the movies. The movie was From Here to Eternity and Frank played a key character. His role earned him an Academy Award and relaunched his performing career all over again.
In the start of the 50’s, Frank began his collaboration with Capitol Records which fashioned a terrific volume of classic vinyl. For these concept LPs, Frank worked with well-known arrangers Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins and Billy May.
Among the collectible albums in this particular Frank Sinatra vinyl partnership are Swing Easy (1954), In the Wee Small Hours (1955), Songs For Swingin’ Lovers (1956) and the very popular Come Fly With Me (1957). All of these albums were chart-topping successes for Sinatra.
Following the success of his tenure at Capitol Records, Frank decided to begin Reprise Records as his own company. His first recording, Ring-A-Ding-Ding (1961), was an instant classic. Around this time, Frank became the chairman of the board of the Rat Pack. Along with Frank there was Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. The gang played to packed houses in Vegas, Chicago and New York. Some of these one-of-a-kind concerts were recorded for all time such as Sinatra at the Sands. Pretty much anything with the Rat Pack is considered a very cool collectible.
For a single performer to be a success in music, television, movies and performance is rare.
Fans of popular music know that Frank Sinatra is one of those unique performers.
Peter & Gordon – Woman (1966)
