"The Sinatra family mourn the untimely passing of their son, brother, father, uncle Frank Sinatra Jr of cardiac arrest while in tour in Daytona, Florida," Nancy Sinatra said in a statement posted on Facebook. "Sleep warm, Frankie."
[fbpost link="https://www.facebook.com/NancySinatra/photos/a.307309589292235.71449.194164757273386/1080902968599556/?type=3"]
Sinatra followed his famous father's footsteps into the music business, beginning his singing career in his teens. Starting in 1988, Sinatra served as conductor and musical director for his father in his final years of performing live.
Frank Sinatra Sr, the Rat Pack star of the 1960s, died in 1998.
Sinatra was meant to perform at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, Florida on Wednesday night as part of the "Sinatra Sings Sinatra" tour.
The theater announced his death on its Facebook page, after posting earlier in the evening that the show was cancelled because the singer had fallen ill after arriving in town.
[fbpost link="https://www.facebook.com/peabodyauditorium/photos/a.10150519325421695.365110.55021831694/10153307737801695/?type=3"]
The younger Sinatra might be best remembered for being kidnapped at age 19 by a pair of young men hoping to extort money from his famous father.
Sinatra was taken by gunpoint from Harrah's Casino in Lake Tahoe, California on December 8,1963, and held for a few days until his father paid the $240,000 ransom. He was released unharmed.
Tony Bennett, an old friend of the elder Sinatra, expressed his condolences to the family.
"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," he said on Twitter.
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
Simultaneously, famous personalities took to Twitter upon hearing the news.
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/710280770040954880
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Frank Sinatra Jr. Like his father, Frank Jr. brought us much joy w/ his unbelievable musical talent.
— Tommy Lasorda Legacy (@TommyLasorda) March 17, 2016
Frank Sinatra, Jr. was brilliant, talented, funny, generous, kind... just like a brother to me. He will always live in my heart; RIP Frank.
— RUTH BUZZI (@Ruth_A_Buzzi) March 17, 2016
RIP Frank Sinatra, Jr. One of the best performers I've ever seen. A voice totally worthy of his father's name. pic.twitter.com/pqxGP94SrA
— Jesse Ruben (@jesseruben) March 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/MiaFarrow/status/710284475259887617
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
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE SINATRA FAMILY-my friend Frank Sinatra Jr-has passed -SADDENED - a Great Talent-https://t.co/FAMiIqPCqa RIP FRANK
— Robert Davi (@RobertJohnDavi) March 17, 2016
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