Frank Sinatra Jr.

It evokes the memory of the U.S. flag and the nation's experiences with the flag since the War of 1812.

Francis Wayne Sinatra Jr. (January 10, 1944 – March 16, 2016), professionally known as Frank Sinatra Jr., was an American singer, songwriter, and conductor.

He was the son of singer and actor Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy Barbato Sinatra, the younger brother of singer and actress Nancy Sinatra, and the older brother of television producer Tina Sinatra.

Francis Wayne Sinatra was born on January 10, 1944, in Jersey City, New Jersey, into the household of one of the most popular singers in the world, Frank Sinatra.

The younger Sinatra was technically not a "junior", as his father's middle name was Albert, but was nonetheless known as Frank Jr. throughout his life.

The younger Sinatra hardly saw his father, who was constantly on the road, either performing or working in films.

Sinatra Jr. recalled wanting to become a pianist and songwriter from his earliest days.

Sinatra was kidnapped at the age of 19 on December 8, 1963, at Harrah's Lake Tahoe (Room 417).

He was released two days later after his father paid the $240,000 ransom demanded by the kidnappers ( terms).

Sinatra had offered $1 million, but the kidnappers inexplicably declined the larger offer, which would be equivalent to $9.68 million in 2022 terms.

In an interview with Ira Glass, Barry Keenan said that he initially intended to earn back the ransom over years and pay it back to Frank Sr. Keenan, Johnny Irwin, and Joe Amsler were soon captured, prosecuted for kidnapping, convicted, and sentenced to long prison terms, of which they served only small portions.

Mastermind Keenan was later adjudged to have been legally insane at the time of the crime and hence not legally responsible for his actions.

Famed attorney Gladys Root represented Irwin.

The kidnappers demanded that all communication be conducted by payphone.

During these conversations, Frank Sr. became concerned that he would not have enough coins, which prompted him to carry 10 dimes with him at all times for the rest of his life; he was even buried with 10 dimes in his pocket.

At the time of the kidnapping, Frank Sr. and the Rat Pack were filming Robin and the 7 Hoods.

The stress of the kidnapping, in addition to the assassination of Sinatra's close friend John F. Kennedy just a few weeks prior to the kidnapping, caused Sinatra to seriously consider shutting down production, although the film was ultimately completed.

By his early teens, Sinatra Jr. performed at local clubs.

At age 19, he became the vocalist for Sam Donahue's band.

He also spent considerable time with Duke Ellington, learning the music business.

Sinatra spent most of his early career on the road.

Sinatra appeared in the Sammy Davis Jr. drama A Man Called Adam in 1966.

By 1968, he had performed in 47 states and 30 countries, had appeared as a guest on several television shows including two episodes of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour with his Sister Nancy, hosted a 10-week summer replacement series for The Dean Martin Show, had sung with his own band in Las Vegas casinos, and had been the opening act for bigger names at other casinos.

During that time, he gained a reputation for rigorous rehearsals and demanding high standards for his musicians.

His other acting credits included roles in Aru heishi no kake (1970) with Dale Robertson, Code Name Zebra (1987) opposite James Mitchum, and Hollywood Homicide (2003) with Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett.

He also played a deputy district attorney, named Gino Bardi, on the television crime drama Adam-12, in three episodes, the last of which was titled "Clinic on 18th Street" (originally broadcast on March 13, 1974).

This episode was an edited television pilot for a Mark VII Limited series that was not sold.

The USA's National Archives now houses a 15-minute song and monologue composed by Sinatra in 1976, Over the Land.

Starting in 1988, at his father's request, Sinatra placed his career on hold in order to act as his father's musical director and conductor.

Poet/vocalist Rod McKuen said:

"As the senior Sinatra outlived one by one all of his conductors and nearly every arranger, and began to grow frail himself, his son knew he needed someone that he trusted near him. [Frank Jr.] was also savvy enough to know that performing was everything to his dad and the longer he kept that connection with his audience, the longer he would stay vital and alive."

In 1989, Sinatra sang "Wedding Vows in Vegas" on the Was (Not Was) album, What Up, Dog?, and performed the song live with the band on Late Night with David Letterman on March 23, 1989.

During the 1997–1998 television season, Sinatra was offered the role of Vic Fontaine on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Despite being a fan of the show and finding the role interesting, he turned it down, declaring that he only wanted to play an alien.

James Darren accepted the part, after refusing three times because he found the idea of a vocalist playing a vocalist to be too "on the nose", but changed his mind when he read the script.

He had a guest spot playing himself on an episode of The Sopranos, "The Happy Wanderer" (2000), in a role either mocking or acknowledging all the stories about his father's involvement with the mob – he lets Paulie Walnuts refer to him as the "Chairboy of the Board".

Sinatra appeared in the show Family Guy, season 4, episode 19: "Brian Sings and Swings", wherein he was introduced as the "Member of the Board".

He performed several tunes during the show, accompanied by Stewie and Brian.

During the ending credits, he sang the Family Guy theme song.

Sinatra guest-starred on an episode of Son of the Beach, in the episode "You Only Come Once" (2002), playing the villain Stink Finger, and he sang his own theme song for the character.