The original ‘Bad Boys’: Frank Sinatra and his Vegas buddies

May 14 marks the 15th anniversary of the death of “The Chairman of the Board,” Frank Sinatra. To both commemorate the anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s passing, and celebrate one of pop culture’s most influential group of friends, the editors at Life have released a book, “The Rat Pack: The Original Bad Boys". So, who were the infamous guys that comprised this group of friends known as “The Rat Pack”?

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, “The Rat Pack” represented the epitome of cool, chic and style. With Frank Sinatra as their leader, this group of five “cool cats” included Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. Sinatra was a fixture in Vegas and he, along with his “partners in crime,” became infamous for their high-living, hard-drinking and skirt-chasing lifestyle. It seemed that every woman wanted them and every guy wanted to be them. The Rat Pack’s antics were the stuff of legends.

Biographer, James Kaplan and photographer John Dominis capture Frank Sinatra, and his buddies, in their glory days. The book takes the reader through a dynamic tale and an intimate look at the legendary bad boys of entertainment, tracing their lives and careers from Las Vegas to Hollywood and everywhere in between. From booze-filled hotel parties to movie sets and glamorous events, “The Rat Pack: The Original Boys” gives readers an intimate look at how “The Rat Pack” came together, their home at the Sands Hotel in Vegas, filming Ocean’s Eleven, Sinatra’s alleged Mafia run-ins, as well as countless antics.

In addition, the book highlights many of the stars that frequently rubbed elbows with “The Rat Pack” including Shirley MacLaine, Jackie Gleason, Bing Crosby, and President Kennedy. Whether you’re a Frank Sinatra fan or a history buff, this book is a must have to add to your collection of memorabilia for this time period! “The Rat Pack: The Original Bad Boys” is available in hardcover ($19.95) at Amazon and on newsstands.