After George Jones passed away, a number of articles about him recalled a famous quote from Frank Sinatra where Sinatra called George Jones “the second-best singer” in the world. The Kennedy Center uses the quote on its page about Jones, and after Jones’s death, The Atlantic used the “second-best” quote in its headline. Some articles asserted that Sinatra said that Jones was the second-best “white” singer, implying that Sinatra recognized the great history of great non-white singers, and others claimed Sinatra used the qualification “in America,” while Philly.com claimed that Sinatra added the qualification “male.” While Jones is a great singer and any one of these statements is high praise coming from Ol’ Blue Eyes, it also raises the question about who did Sinatra then think was “the best”?
Most articles did not answer that question and encouraged or left the impression that Sinatra meant that he himself was the best singer. For example, Examiner.com and NBC’s Today Show website stated the quote about Sinatra saying Jones was the second-best “white” singer with both adding, “No prizes for guessing first place,” as if it should be obvious that Sinatra’s ego would lead him to put himself in the top spot. George Jones’s own website implies that Sinatra saved the top spot for himself: “Frank Sinatra famously (and coyly) referred to Jones as ‘the second greatest singer in America.'” The legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards made the same mistake in his otherwise touching statement about the passing of the great country singer: “Sinatra called him the second best singer ever. (The number one obviously being Frank!).”
But Sinatra did not put himself in the top spot, which he reserved for Tony Bennett. I have not found a reliable source for Sinatra’s entire quote about George Jones and Tony Bennett to verify whether Sinatra used any of the qualifications such as “white,” “in America,” or “male.” But other sources give us a good idea who Sinatra put in the first place spot. Throughout his career, Sinatra often claimed that Tony Bennett was the best singer, so it does make the most sense that he was ranking Jones in the second slot not because of himself but because of his love for Bennett. For example, a 1965 Tony Bennett album featured this quote from Sinatra: “For my money Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business.” Frank Sinatra, even in death, does not need me to defend his ego. But these articles in their attempts to praise the great George Jones unfortunately made Frank Sinatra sound like an egomaniac (or more of one than he was) and slighted Tony Bennett at the same time.
So to right this wrong, watch this video of Tony Bennett singing “Body and Soul” with Amy Winehouse and note what a great singer he is (as well as what a great singer the late Winehouse was). Their duet on “Body and Soul” appeared on Bennett’s 2011 Duets II
Who is your favorite singer of all-time? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)
When I read the quote, I immediately thought of Gordie Cooper’s famous quip in the Right Stuff (“Who’s the best damned pilot you ever saw?. . . You’re lookin’ at him.”), and I took the quote as a good humored line rather than showing that Frank was some kind of egomaniac. And I’m not particularly a fan of his. I always preferred Tony Bennett to Frank Sinatra, but I think that I’m biased partially because Tony Bennett was born in Astoria.
That’s a good comparison to Cooper’s fun quote in “The Right Stuff.” Seeing some of the articles with the Sinatra quote, I had the same first impression but some articles left a little different impression. I suppose, using Sinatra’s reference, one would have to say that Bennett is the greatest singer born in Queens. The greatest singer who died in Queens would be Louis Armstrong. Thanks for the comment.
Interesting – thanks for clearing that up. I had heard the quote in the Jones reporting, as assumed as prior commenter said he was joking around. Bennett makes more sense.
I think you post is most notable however for showing the complete lack of research even the most mainstream media does these days – they’ll simply echo anything they hear without regard to accuracy. This is a rather trivial case as compared to their far greater sins, but it also would have taken very little effort to research and get it right. Thanks for showing them how it’s supposed to be done.
Thanks Craig. Yeah, it is amazing how the quote appeared in so many stories, and that is a good point about how the minor mistake may show a broader problem. It is great that we have access to so much information through the Internet quickly, but one has to wonder if that access has contributed to making some reporters a little sloppy sometimes. Thanks for your comment.
Tony Bennett is the greatest singer of all time Sinatra was right He (Bennett) STILL sounds good He will be 87 on AUG 3,2013
Yes, it is amazing that Bennett still has it after all these years. Hard to believe he’s almost 87. Thanks for the comment!
I love both Sinatra and Jones. The only song I know that they both recorded is the song Hallelujah…. Not sure which I like better.
I agree they are both great. I’m guessing you mean “Hallelujah, I Love Her So,” written by Ray Charles (as opposed to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that one hears everywhere these days). That’s a good call — off the top of my head I can’t think of another song that both Sinatra and Jones recorded. Thanks for the comment.
There was a comment that I read that Jone’s voice was more than a voice…it was more like an emanation of some Holy Ghost…I agree and would put Sinatra in that category as well plus he had those damn fine arrangements.
JOHN GARY hands down the best male vocalist ever.
He certainly had a great voice, and he is probably not as well known as he should be. Thanks for the comment.
As a fan of both pop standards and classic country, I am convinced that the widely attributed praise of George Jones by Frank Sinatra is internet misinformation which assumed a life of its own (even making the AP obit for Jones). Many years ago, Sinatra called Jack Jones “the second best singer” and since most have forgotten or were never familiar with the once famous 60’s pop crooner, someone wrongly credited this to George Jones. To add to the confusion, both George and Jack Jones record the “Race is On” back in the mid-60’s.
George Jones was certainly one of the Nashville legends but there is very little indication that Sinatra even liked country music. Sinatra covered very few country songs (“For The Good Times” a very pop-oriented country tune is the only one which comes to mind) and if he admired any country artists it would probably would have a
more “countrypolitian” act who performed in Vegas like Eddy Arnold or Ray Price.
I would put Tony Bennett on equal footing with Sinatra (the “Chairman of the Board” did like and respect Bennett). Of course, there were a lot of singers like Jack Jones (and John Gary) who didn’t get the recognition they deserved especially later in their careers.
That is an interesting theory about Jack Jones. I have seen quotes of Sinatra praising Jack Jones (but never as the “second-best” quote), and certainly his style of singing may be more similar to Sinatra’s style than George Jones. I also do agree that Jack Jones, who many remember as the singer of the “Love Boat” theme, is underrated. But still, I would say George Jones is in another league and would expect Sinatra to recognize that, even if George’s chosen style differed from Sinatra’s style. That said, I still think you make a good argument and will have to keep my eyes open about the issue for further information. Thanks for the comment!
While I really do like an admirer Frank Sinatra singing and styling, especially his arrangements made by Nelson Riddle and Quincy Jones, my favorite singer and entertainer is and Sammy Davis, Jr.
They don’t call Sinatra the voice for nothing, he was and still is the Best!