Music
A pop star knew Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. The star in question said that Sinatra acted in a way that would have terrified the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
A pop star knew Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. The star in question said that Sinatra acted in a way that would have terrified the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Interestingly, both singers released hit versions of the same song.
Paul Anka said Elvis Presley was scared to socialize like Frank Sinatra
Paul Anka is a pop star known for hits like “Diana,” “(You’re) Having My Baby,” “One Man Woman/One Woman Man,” “Lonely Boy,” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.” He also wrote hits for other people, such as Tom Jones’ “She’s a Lady” and Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good.” Perhaps his most famous composition is “My Way,” which both Sinatra and Elvis recorded.
In his book My Way: An Autobiography, Anka discussed the difference between the two icons. “You wouldn’t see Elvis in a public restaurant the way you’d see Frank almost any night of the week holding forth at a table full of friends,” he wrote. “Ever. That kind of thing didn’t interest him. Elvis was scared to death to do that.
“He thought he had to be Elvis all the time, and he wasn’t always sure who that was,” Anka added. “You can’t do that — you can’t be Elvis 24 hours a day. If you are smart about it, you separate your persona from all the other stuff so that you can have some kind of a life.”
Paul Anka said Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra had 1 thing in common
Anka did say that Elvis and Sinatra had something in common. “There was one way in which Elvis and Frank were similar: they were both very generous,” he wrote. “Frank never took a penny for his charity work; many other performers who say they do benefits actually get paid, some up to a million bucks, but not Frank. It’s been estimated that over his career, Sinatra helped raise more than $1 billion for charitable organizations around the world.”
The “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer was generous as well. Graceland.com reports he gave thousands to nonprofit organizations and charities. For example, all the proceeds from his iconic Aloha from Hawaii television special went to the Kui Lee Cancer Fund. He also helped fund the Memphis Jewish Community Center Building, which is still standing all these decades later.
Both stars released versions of ‘My Way’ but 1 reigned supreme
Another similarity between Sinatra and Elvis is that both of them released hit versions of “My Way.” Sinatra’s came out first. His version peaked at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, lasting on the chart for eight weeks. The ballad appeared on the album My Way. That record reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200, lasting on the chart for 19 weeks.
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s “My Way” was more popular in the short term. It reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted for 12 weeks. The tune appeared on the album Elvis in Concert. That record climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 18 weeks.
Sinatra and Elvis were different people but they both had giving hearts and they knew how to sing “My Way” better than anyone else.
