On This Day in 1998, Music Lost One of the All Time Greats—Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra was a musical trailblazer, a larger-than-life figure, and an individual who proved that one could control an audience with only a stunning voice. He was one of the greatest singers of all time, and consequently, his music has become an essential part of the greater American soundtrack of the 20th century. He did it all, and he stood tall, and he did it his way up until his passing on this day in 1998.

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Other than his music, Frank Sinatra lived a storied life full of cinematic controversy and grandeur. Most notably, Sinatra was in ties with a famous mobster, Joseph Fischetti, and as a result, was monitored by the FBI for more than five decades. Furthermore, Sinatra also made history by establishing the Las Vegas residency concept. In short, the man was a cinematic figure, and his music was merely one defining factor in that title.

Sinatra’s life was poetically busy and conflicted; however, that did not stop him from living a long and fruitful life. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Sinatra performed until he was 79 years old and lived until he was 82. That being so, when he passed away on May 14, 1998, his departure from this Earth wasn’t as tragic given that his life had been lived to the fullest extent.

Frank Sinatra Went Out Like a Classy Older Man

Frank Sinatra did not pass away from an unexpected cause. Rather, he passed away like any other older man, as he suffered a heart attack. Sinatra passed away at 10:50 pm PST at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. His beloved wife, Barbara Sinatra, was at his side.

Following his passing, Sinatra’s funeral transpired at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church in Beverly Hills, California. 400 people were in attendance, and eulogies were given by Gregory Peck and Kirk Douglas, as well as an honor guard performed by Tony Bennett and Sidney Poitier. The hearse then took Sinatra’s casket to Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California. His headstone reads, “The best is yet to come.”

Defining Frank Sinatra’s legacy is not something one can do in so few words. Which is an accomplishment in and of itself. Nevertheless, folks will pass down Frank Sinatra and his music for generations to come. No matter what is going on in the world, Frank Sinatra will always remain timeless, talented, and untouchable.

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