The Voice

Even now, countless articles continue to be written about him. Critiques. Commentaries. Biographies. Remembrances. He remains an active part of our national and even international landscape despite having died over 17 years ago. I speak of Francis Albert Sinatra, singer and entertainer extraordinaire; the performer against so many others continue to be measured. It was May, 1998, when Sinatra died. But the more significant milestone is when he was born: December, 12, 1915. His unmistakable and singular voice was first heard on a cold day in New Jersey. This entry is in recognition of the Sinatra centennial.


I will concede that other singers, before, during and after Sinatra's time, have possessed solid and even wonderful voices. But none - not one - is or has been the communicator that Sinatra was in the context of words set to music. It was this skill that represented the core of the awe and respect for Sinatra that defined his standing inside and beyond the world of music and entertainment. No one could match Sinatra's ability to communicate lyrics of sorrow, regret and loss. Nor could any come close to conveying words of joy and exhilaration as well as this unique individual. His mastery of communicating such a wide range of moods helped make him such a forceful communicator. It still does.


As a singer, he was the ultimate communicator. He helped articulate feelings that so many felt, yet could not quite explain or process.. But via an array of vehicles ranging from "Here's That Rainy Day" to "I've Got the World on a String" and literally thousands in-between, Sinatra provided this great gift to the world for the more than 60 years he worked as an active performer. We were and continue to be the better for it. Singing is an art form as well as one way man communicates. In that realm, there was no better communicator than Sinatra.