Ol’ Blue Eyes wasn’t always the smooth crooner we remember. The legendary Frank Sinatra, who became an icon in his youth, led a much different life as he approached the twilight of his career. Enter Eliot Weisman, hired in 1975 as Sinatra’s manager. Eliot worked closely with the music legend until his passing in 1998 from a heart attack. Now, in his new memoir, The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra, Eliot reveals intimate details about Frank’s final years.
The Transition: Sinatra at 60
When Eliot began working with Frank, the singer was 60 years old. According to Eliot’s memoir, this wasn’t the same Sinatra who wowed audiences in his prime. The pressure mounted as Frank dealt with personal and professional challenges. His late fourth wife, Barbara Sinatra, and his children were increasingly concerned about his estate, which weighed heavily on him. To cope with the stress, Frank turned to an antidepressant called Elavil, which, as Eliot points out, came with a host of side effects.
Elavil: The Drug That Changed Everything
Elavil, an antidepressant, was supposed to be used for only about 12 to 13 months before switching to another medication. However, Frank remained on it for an extended period—anywhere from 10 to 15 years. Barbara, Frank’s wife, was hesitant about changing his prescription, fearing that switching medications might lead to violent outbursts. As Eliot recounts, this prolonged use of Elavil likely contributed to Frank’s declining health.
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Frank and Barbara Sinatra.
According to Eliot, the side effects of Elavil were significant. The warnings on the medication include potential issues like loss of vision, loss of hearing, and memory problems—all of which Frank experienced at various points. It's clear that the drug took a toll on his well-being.
The Impact on Health
Eliot goes on to explain that the prolonged use of Elavil was not only unnecessary but harmful. Frank’s health suffered as a result, and it's likely that the medication played a significant role in his decline. Barbara’s concerns about potential violence during the transition to a new medication were understandable, but as Eliot points out, these fears were unfounded. Unfortunately, this decision may have cost Frank more than anyone realized at the time.
