A Comparison of Frank Sinatra to Justin Timberlake

Frank Sinatra is known as one of the greatest singers and performers of all time from the 40’s to his death in 1998, though his music and spirit still lives strongly within culture today. Michael Buble has commonly been compared to Sinatra, but I would argue that singer/songwriter and former *NSYNC star Justin Timberlake could also fill in this position.

First of all, both Justin and Frank were considered to be “teenage heartthrobs” of their time. When Frank Sinatra first set off to begin a solo singing career, he started to receive a lot more attention- especially that of teenage girls. In 1944 on Columbus Day, he performed at New York’s Paramount Theatre and ended up accumulating tens of thousands of dedicated girls in his audience. These girls screamed for him and were dedicated enough as to attach photographs of Frank to their outfits. This event has become known today as “The Columbus Day Riot”. Although this was on a much larger scale, Frank was no stranger to experiencing large groups of “bobby soxers” flooding his shows and yelling his name, demonstrating his massive following. Justin Timberlake has also been very popular amongst teens, specifically during his time in the band *NSYNC. Teenage girls showed their dedication to the band, and especially to Justin, in more ways than just swarming concerts. Fans decked out their rooms in posters and bought all of their merchandise (including some very creepy marionette dolls). Timberlake as well as his other band members became every girls crush throughout the 90’s and is still popular to this day.

Secondly, Frank and Justin are and were very involved in charity work. In 1986, Frank Sinatra and his wife Barbara founded the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. The center’s purpose is to support and provide therapy to children who have suffered from neglect, abuse, and those who are at risk of abuse. The foundation is dedicated to helping any children who are in need, no matter their income and has been able to help thousands. Other than his own charity, Frank has contributed to several others and has been able to raise over one billion dollars. Justin Timberlake has also become a celebrity known to be a giver. In 2013, he was reportedly paid three million dollars to perform for a pre Super Bowl show. The star did not keep any of the money and donated it to Shriners Children’s Hospital, who he had worked with previously. More recently, Timberlake has donated and performed for benefit concerts to support and aid Hurricane Dorian victims as well as flood victims in Nebraska back in March.

Lastly, both of these musical icons have followed eerily similar paths career wise. Frank Sinatra began singing in high school as a part of the Glee club. As he grew older and made some radio appearances, he was noticed by and asked to join a band with Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra decided to leave the band in 1943, gaining fame as a solo artist into the late 40’s. With his rise in stardom, he also proved himself to be a talented and successful actor. Frank Sinatra won an Oscar for his performance in From Here to Eternity. Throughout the 50’s, he continued to act as well as sing. In the late 50’s, he decided to leave his label and produce his own record label Reprise as well as his own film company Artanis. Frank continued to produce and create entertainment in the 60’s, confounding the Las Vegas group Rat Pack. Frank Sinatra never stopped singing, earning 6 Grammy awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Justin Timberlake began singing in a church choir before becoming a member of the New Mickey Mouse Club from 1993-1995, alongside other now famous celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, and Britney Spears. From here, Justin joined the popular band *NSYNC, marking his rise to stardom. The band had become a global sensation, gaining fans from across the world until their “temporary hiatus” in 2002 ultimately marked their disbandment. Although the band was broken, Justin did not stop with music. He went on to creating himself into a widely successful solo artist, writing hits such as “What Goes Around Comes Around” and “Cry Me a River”. Timberlake starred in several movies as well during this time, filling both voice over and acting roles in films and television. The artist to this day is known as a quadruple threat; singing, dancing, acting and producing. Both Sinatra and Timberlake followed the path as follows: small singing groups, band, solo artist, actor, producer, and jumping between roles.

Through similar paths, crazed fan followings, philanthropy and more, it is not difficult to see how Justin Timberlake’s life and career closely mirrors that of the legend Frank Sinatra, making Timberlake arguably this generation’s Sinatra.