Frank Sinatra was called, simply, "The Voice." But his prized pipes only told part of the story. Sinatra was also an Oscar-winning actor, a shrewd judge of songcraft and a champion showman. "Sinatra: The Photographs" captures the man through the years as he went from teen idol to world-renowned artist. Here, he rehearses for "The Frank Sinatra Timex Show" in October 1959.
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Always blessed with a gorgeous voice, Sinatra also knew how to make the best of it. (He purchased a microphone while still in his teens to practice his sound.) After years with various bands, Sinatra broke out in the 1940s as a teen idol. Here, kissing fans swarm Sinatra for autographs in 1943.
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After his 1940s success, Sinatra's career hit the skids in the early '50s. He was dropped by his movie studio and clashed with his record label, and he had split with his wife to marry actress Ava Gardner. His performance in 1953's "From Here to Eternity," for which he won an Oscar for best supporting actor, was his comeback. Here, Sinatra shares a much-needed laugh with co-stars Burt Lancaster, Ernest Borgnine and Mickey Shaughnessy in between takes of one of the movie's tensest scenes.
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Sinatra also re-established his singing career with a new label, Capitol Records, for which he would record some of his greatest sides. His insouciant look -- loosened tie, tailored jacket, fedora angled just so -- became a trademark.
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As an actor, Sinatra was willing to take on some tough roles. In 1955's "The Man with the Golden Arm," he plays a heroin-addicted drummer and card dealer trying to go straight. In this image, he holds a match up to his dilated eyes, right before a scene in which Kim Novak's character does the same to him, checking to see if he's still using. Sinatra's performance earned him a best actor Oscar nomination.
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In 1958's "Kings Go Forth," Sinatra co-starred with Tony Curtis as a pair of World War II soldiers who get involved with the same woman (Natalie Wood) while stationed in France.
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Sinatra soon became well known for his adventures with the "Rat Pack," a group of high-living friends that included Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Dean Martin. The gang was closely associated with Las Vegas, where they performed and where Sinatra had a steam room built for the Sands Hotel. Here, Sinatra (on the phone) is joined in 1960 by Lawford, left; Davis, lying on the bench; and banker Al Hart.
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Perhaps Sinatra's most fruitful musical collaboration was with arranger Nelson Riddle. They recorded the albums "In the Wee Small Hours" and "Only the Lonely," among others. Here, Sinatra records his 1961 album, "Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!!" in Capitol Records' Studio A. Riddle stands on the left.
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Sinatra's adventures with the "Rat Pack" were legendary. The singer was regularly in the entertainment headlines, and he fostered some of them with good humor.
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Davis squeezes Sinatra's face in 1961 while comedian Joey Bishop, center, looks on.
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Sinatra recorded with many of the greats: Tommy Dorsey, Bing Crosby, Count Basie, Antonio Carlos Jobim. On his birthday in 1967, he finally got to record with Duke Ellington, left, in sessions that would become the album "Francis A. and Edward K." As Stan Cornyn wrote in the liner notes for the album: "The singer today is one year older. His singing, one more year profound."
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For all his standing in public life, Sinatra liked solitude, and many images show him pensive and thoughtful. This shot was taken in Tokyo in 1962. Sinatra said of his pipe-smoking, "It helps me think straight." He died on May 14, 1998. He was 82.
