Frank Sinatra was an iconic singer and actor who rose to fame during the mid-20th century. He was a popular performer of traditional pop music, but his attitude towards rock music was often a topic of discussion. Sinatra was known for his preference for traditional pop music and had openly criticized rock music in the past. However, over time, he seemed to have softened his stance on the genre.
According to an article published by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sinatra initially dismissed rock music as a passing fad. In a 1957 interview with Edward R. Murrow, Sinatra said, “Rock ‘n’ roll smells phony and false. It is sung, played and written, for the most part, by cretinous goons and by means of its almost imbecilic reiterations and sly, lewd, in plain fact, dirty lyrics, and moronic melodies, it manages to be the martial music of every side-burned delinquent on the face of the earth.”
However, Sinatra’s opinion on rock music seemed to have evolved over time. In a 1963 interview with Playboy magazine, he stated, “I think that Elvis Presley was probably the most underrated of all the performers in our industry. He was the forerunner of the whole rock movement and his music was a joy and a revelation to kids all over the world. I can’t say that I like the music, but I do think that he was a true artist, as far as putting himself on the line.”
Furthermore, Sinatra even recorded a few songs that were influenced by rock music. In 1965, he released an album called “September of My Years,” which included a cover of the Beatles’ song “Yesterday.” He also recorded a song called “That’s Life,” which had elements of rock and roll.
In conclusion, while Frank Sinatra was initially dismissive of rock music, it seems that his opinion on the genre changed over time. He came to appreciate the artistry of some of the performers, such as Elvis Presley, and even incorporated elements of rock into his own music. While he may not have been a die-hard fan of the genre, it is clear that he came to accept and like certain aspects of it. These views were shared by a variety of sources, including interviews with Sinatra himself, making them a reliable authority on the subject.
