What was the name of Frank Sinatra's first album on his own label Reprise?

Ring-a-Ding-Ding! was Frank Sinatra’s first album on his own Reprise label. Released on May 7, 1961, it was the inaugural record issued by Reprise Records, the company Sinatra founded after leaving Capitol.

The album was built around an upbeat musical idea: an album without ballads. Its tracks emphasize fast tempos, swing arrangements and a lively nightclub energy, reflecting Sinatra’s desire for greater artistic and business control. The title song was written specifically for him by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen.

Sinatra recorded the album in Los Angeles in December 1960 with arrangements by Johnny Mandel, among others. It became the first release in a long series of Reprise albums that allowed him to explore different themes, conductors and recording projects on his own terms.

Listeners sometimes confuse Ring-a-Ding-Ding! with later Reprise titles such as Sinatra Swings or with albums recorded after Sinatra had already established the label. The key clue is its status as Reprise’s inaugural release and its catalog number, FS 1001.