10 Things You Didn’t Know About Frank Sinatra
Published on 2 February 2026
As Sinatra The Musical prepares to arrive at the Aldwych Theatre in June this year, it’s the perfect moment to look beyond the legend and discover some lesser-known facts about the man who changed music forever. Written by Tony Award-winning Joe DiPietro and directed and choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall, the musical charts Sinatra’s rise, fall and extraordinary comeback. Here are ten things you might not know about Frank Sinatra.
1. He was born with significant birth complications
Frank Sinatra’s birth in 1915 was so traumatic that he almost didn’t survive it. Born weighing over 13 pounds, doctors used forceps that injured his cheek, neck and ear, leaving him not breathing at birth. As doctors focused on his mother, it was Sinatra’s grandmother who intervened, holding the newborn under cold water until he began to breathe — a moment that ultimately saved his life.
2. He never learned to read music
Despite becoming one of the most influential singers of all time, Sinatra couldn’t read or write musical notation. He learned songs by listening and relied on phrasing and instinct rather than technical theory — luckily he had such a brilliant natural musicality.
3. His early career was almost derailed by vocal problems
In the early 1950s, Sinatra suffered severe vocal haemorrhaging that temporarily damaged his voice and nearly ended his career — a low point explored in Sinatra The Musical.
4. He was obsessed with phrasing, not power
Sinatra revolutionised popular singing by treating songs as emotional narratives. He studied horn players, especially trombonists, to shape his breathing and legato style.
5. He was deeply devoted to his family
Although his romantic life was turbulent (he was married four times), Sinatra remained closely connected to his children throughout his life and often described fatherhood as his greatest pride.
6. His affair with Ava Gardner damaged his career
At the height of his fame, Sinatra’s relationship with actress Ava Gardner caused public backlash. His record sales dropped dramatically due to the scandal, and Hollywood largely turned its back on him.
7. His comeback was considered impossible at the time
When Sinatra won the Oscar for From Here to Eternity in 1954, it marked one of the most dramatic career revivals in entertainment history and secured his reputation for possessing real, credible acting talent.
8. He reshaped the concept of the album
Sinatra was one of the first artists to treat albums as complete works, using consistent themes and moods rather than simply compiling hit songs. He once said “An album is not a collection of songs; it must be a story, with rhythm, emotion, and a sense of closure.”
9. He took artistic risks later in life
Rather than standing still artistically, Sinatra continued collaborating with contemporary musicians throughout his career. He recorded songs by writers such as George Harrison and Stevie Wonder, worked with arrangers including Don Costa and Quincy Jones, and later introduced his music to new audiences through the Duets albums of the 1990s, partnering with artists like Barbra Streisand, Bono and Gloria Estefan.
10. His legacy extends far beyond music
From performance style to storytelling in song, Sinatra’s influence can be felt across generations — and comes vividly to life on stage in Sinatra The Musical.
Sinatra The Musical plays from 3 June 2026 to 10 April 2027 at the Aldwych Theatre. Book your tickets today.
By Hay Brunsdon
I've 15 years of writing and editorial experience, and starting working in the West End theatre industry in 2012. When not watching or writing about theatre I'm usually swimming, hiking, running, or training for triathlons in the Stroud valleys.