Frank Sinatra Jr., who carried on the legacy of his father, the legendary Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra, with his own career in music, has died at the age of 72.
His death was announced by his family members, who revealed that his cause of death was a cardiac arrest he suffered during a tour in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Wednesday.
Sinatra Jr., whose real name is Francis Wayne Sinatra, was the second child of the "Strangers in the Night" singer and his first wife Nancy Barbato Sinatra. The younger Sinatra had two siblings -Nancy Sinatra, who also had a successful music career, and younger sister Tina Sinatra, an accomplished TV producer.
Born in 1943 in New Jersey, he followed in the footsteps of the senior Sinatra and set off on his own career in the music industry, performing as a singer at clubs in his teenage years. However, he later ended up working for his father as his musical director and conductor.
After his father's death in 1998, Sinatra Jr. mostly performed his father's famous songs and was slated to perform at a "Sinatra Sings Sinatra" concert at the Peabody Daytona Beach on Wednesday.
"Since my father's death, a lot of people have made it clear that they're not ready to give up the music," Sinatra Jr. said in a 2002 interview. "For me, it's a big, fat gift. I get to sing with a big orchestra and get to sing orchestrations that will never be old."
At the age of 19, Sinatra Jr. made headlines around the globe after he was kidnapped at gunpoint from his Lake Tahoe hotel room. He was held captive by three kidnappers for two days until his father paid the ransom demand of $240,000. The kidnappers were apprehended and convicted a few days later.
He released his first album, "Young Love For Sale," in 196,5 and during his time as a musician, he recorded five more solo albums, including "That Face!" in 2006.
Sinatra Jr. tied the knot with Cynthia McMurry in 1998, but the couple parted ways two years later. They had a son together named Michael Sinatra, who survives Sinatra Jr. along with Nancy and Tina Sinatra.
Many celebrities, including Tony Bennett and Larry King, took to Twitter to offer their condolences to the late singer.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Frank Sinatra Jr and send my sympathy to Tina and Nancy and the Sinatra family.
— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) March 17, 2016
I always admired Frank Sinatra Jr. He was born with a hard name to live up to, but I loved his talent and his ability to be forthright. — Larry King (@kingsthings) March 17, 2016
Frank Sinatra, Jr. was a friend to Family Guy, and a friend to me. I'm saddened at his passing, but grateful to have known him. RIP, Frank.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) March 17, 2016
