Frank Sinatra. This name invokes the image of a warm embrace, the same way the singer’s voice envelops listeners in his songs that dominated the radio airwaves from the 1940s through the ’70s.
Even 25 years after his death, Sinatra remains irreplaceable. His music portrays places full of hope, love, and excitement with images that have stuck with us for a long time.
But sometimes we want to listen to music that’s similar to an artist’s but still unique. So, if you’ve been looking for other singers like Frank Sinatra, here are 10 for your listening pleasure.
1. Dean Martin
Dino Paul Crocetti was born in 1917 in Steubenville, Ohio. He enjoyed a rise to fame under a different name: Dean Martin.
After moving to New York City, he began singing for Sammy Watkins’ Orchestra. He also formed a successful comedy duo with Jerry Lewis before starting his solo film and music career in the 1950s. After this, Martin produced some of his most famous songs, such as “That’s Amore.”
In the 1960s, Martin was part of the famed Rat Pack with Frank Sinatra. He was also a beloved figure in the entertainment world with his television variety show, The Dean Martin Show.
2. Nat King Cole
Even though Nat King Cole died young, he still achieved incredible musical success in a career that stretched from the 1930s into the 1960s. Growing up in Chicago, he began his career as a jazz pianist.
He eventually landed his first hit in 1940 with “Sweet Lorraine,” which he recorded with the King Cole Trio in his new home, Los Angeles. After more hits in the 1950s, NBC eventually gave him his variety show, The Nat King Cole Show, the first show hosted by an African American.
Despite his success as a performer, Cole faced significant racism and discrimination throughout his career, yet he broke down barriers and paved the way for future African American musicians.
3. Tony Bennett
Originally named Anthony Benedetto, Tony Bennett was born in New York City in 1926. He began performing for money at age 13 in his hometown’s restaurants.
He eventually gained fame and recognition in the 1950s after releasing hit songs like “Because of You” and “Rags to Riches.”
The New Yorker’s smooth, velvety voice earned him many awards, including many Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award. He collaborated with many other musicians, including Frank Sinatra himself and contemporary pop artists Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse.
His music career aside, Bennett is known for his work with organizations like the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association.
4. Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis Crosby, stage name Bing Crosby, was born in 1903 in Tacoma, Washington. In 1925, he moved to Los Angeles to seek success. As he recorded tunes like “Out of Nowhere,” he developed a vocal style new to American music: crooning.
Crosby hosted his radio show through the ‘30s and ‘40s, acted in several movies, and traveled to Germany to entertain American troops in World War II. This move catapulted him to global fame.
His film Holiday Inn introduced the world to his hit song “White Christmas,” and his role in the 1944 film Going My Way won him an Academy Award.
5. Sammy Davis Jr.
Samuel George Davis Jr.—simply known as Sammy Davis Jr.—was born in 1925 in New York City to performing parents.
Davis famously experienced severe racism from white soldiers during World War II. This became an opportunity, however, when the army assigned him to Special Services, which performed shows for soldiers.
After the war, he climbed to become a national celebrity, debuting his first album, Starring Sammy Davis Jr., in 1954. He cemented his stardom in the Rat Pack along with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Besides his hit records like “Candy Man,” he appeared in many films and TV shows, including Ocean’s Eleven.
6. Perry Como
Born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1912, Perry Como attracted national attention in the late 1930s when he began performing with the Ted Weems Orchestra and refined his vocal style. The orchestra also played on the radio, gaining even more recognition.
He later gained a radio show that brought him further fame, a period during which he recorded his hit “Goodbye, Sue.”
Como made many film and television appearances as he continued his singing career. He also hosted several television shows, including The Perry Como Show, which ran for over a decade and became one of the most popular programs of its era.
7. Johnny Mathis
Pop and jazz singer Johnny Mathis was born in Gilmer, Texas, but grew up in San Francisco. His dad was an amateur musician and encouraged creativity by famously buying his son an upright piano.
At 19 years old, he took his developing skills to a San Francisco club, where Columbia record’s George Avakian discovered him in 1954. He recorded numerous hits throughout his career, including “Chances Are,” “What Will Mary Say?” and “Gina.”
Mathis has released over 80 albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide. He won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and he has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
8. Bobby Darin
The year 1936 saw the birth of Bobby Darin in New York City. His story is the most tragic of singers who are like Sinatra.
As a child, he was diagnosed with a heart defect and wasn’t expected to live till age 16, but he didn’t let that stop him from pursuing singing.
Darin began his career as a songwriter, penning hits for other artists before launching his own singing career. By 19, he started a fruitful songwriting collaboration with Don Kirshner.
His singing career began in 1958 with his most memorable song, “Splish Splash.” Since then, he recorded numerous hit songs, including “Mack the Knife” and “Dream Lover.”
Sadly, his heart issues caught up with him in the ’70s, often needing oxygen during performances. After surgery in 1973, Darin failed to wake up during recovery. He was only 37 years old.
9. Mel Tormé
Born in 1925, Chicago native Mel Tormé began his performing career at the young age of four years old. By the time he was in his teens, he was playing drums and acting until his service in the army.
In 1946, he immediately returned to musical performances and acting, and his performance in Good News remains iconic. When he moved to Capitol Records in 1949, he helped make cool jazz popular, particularly with the song “Careless Hands” and the album California Suite.
Tormé performed mainly as a jazz artist throughout his decades-long career as an arranger, talented drummer, and able composer. He recorded numerous hit songs throughout his career, including “The Christmas Song,” “Blue Moon,” and “Comin’ Home Baby.”
10. Michael Bublé
For a contemporary singer similar to Sinatra, we have Michael Bublé. The Canadian was born to a family of Italian-Croatian heritage in 1975.
His jazz influences include Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, among others. He began performing as a teen for years. He was finally recognized when he performed at the wedding of Brian Mulroney’s daughter.
The former Canadian prime minister introduced Bublé to Grammy award-winning David Foster, who signed him to 143 Records label. Bublé released many albums throughout his career, including “Call Me Irresponsible” and “To Be Loved,” some of which topped the charts globally.
In 2009, he became a worldwide sensation with “Haven’t Met You Yet,” an original song in the style of his jazz and big-band predecessors. Since then, Bublé’s name has become associated with Christmas music, like his idols.
Summing Up Our List Of Singers Like Frank Sinatra
Despite the passage of time, Frank Sinatra is still a favorite by many. His songs are classic hits that influenced many music artists of his time and those who followed decades later, as shown on this list.
With Sinatra’s influence on these singers’ minds, each of them went through their career and played an essential role in the development of music over the years, especially jazz, just like their idol. And just like Sinatra, they all continue to inspire and enthrall fans around the world.
