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Frankie Avalon
Francis Thomas Avallone (born September 18, 1940), known professionally as Frankie Avalon, is an American singer, actor and former teen idol. He had 31 charting U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including number one hits, "Venus" in 1959 and "Why" in 1960.
Avalon started appearing in films in the 1960s; he is well known for having appeared in the Beach party films of this decade and for supporting roles in the 1960 western The Alamo and in the 1978 musical film Grease. In the latter film, he sings the song "Beauty School Dropout".
Avalon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Italian-American parents Mary and Nicholas Avallone. His mother was originally from Sicily. His father was a butcher who was born in Philadelphia, whose father Francesco was from Salerno, in Campania, Italy, and whose mother was from Sicily.
In December 1952, Avalon made his American network television debut playing the trumpet in The Honeymooners "Christmas Party" sketch on The Jackie Gleason Show. Two singles showcasing Avalon's trumpet playing were issued on RCA Victor's X sublabel in 1954. His trumpet playing was also featured on some of his LP songs as well. As a teenager, he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints.
In 1959, "Venus", which was a number one single for five consecutive weeks, and "Why" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Why" was the first number one hit of the 1960s.
Avalon had 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. No. 7), "I'll Wait for You" (U.S. No. 5), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. No. 8), and "A Boy Without a Girl" (U.S. No. 10). He was less popular in the UK, but did still manage four chart hits with "Why", "Ginger Bread", "Venus" and "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops". Most of his hit songs were written and/or produced by Bob Marcucci, head of Chancellor Records. Avalon concentrated on his acting career which detracted from his recording career, and "Why" of 1959 would be Avalon's final top 10 hit.
Avalon's first film was a short appearance in Jamboree (1957), playing a trumpet and singing "Teacher's Pet".
In the late 1950s, teen idols were often given roles in films, supporting older male stars in order to attract a younger audience, such as Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo (1959). Alan Ladd's daughter was a Frankie Avalon fan, who recommended that he co-star with her father in the Western Guns of the Timberland (1960). Avalon sings two songs, "The Faithful Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee"; both were released as singles.
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Frankie Avalon
Francis Thomas Avallone (born September 18, 1940), known professionally as Frankie Avalon, is an American singer, actor and former teen idol. He had 31 charting U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including number one hits, "Venus" in 1959 and "Why" in 1960.
Avalon started appearing in films in the 1960s; he is well known for having appeared in the Beach party films of this decade and for supporting roles in the 1960 western The Alamo and in the 1978 musical film Grease. In the latter film, he sings the song "Beauty School Dropout".
Avalon was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Italian-American parents Mary and Nicholas Avallone. His mother was originally from Sicily. His father was a butcher who was born in Philadelphia, whose father Francesco was from Salerno, in Campania, Italy, and whose mother was from Sicily.
In December 1952, Avalon made his American network television debut playing the trumpet in The Honeymooners "Christmas Party" sketch on The Jackie Gleason Show. Two singles showcasing Avalon's trumpet playing were issued on RCA Victor's X sublabel in 1954. His trumpet playing was also featured on some of his LP songs as well. As a teenager, he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints.
In 1959, "Venus", which was a number one single for five consecutive weeks, and "Why" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Why" was the first number one hit of the 1960s.
Avalon had 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. No. 7), "I'll Wait for You" (U.S. No. 5), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. No. 8), and "A Boy Without a Girl" (U.S. No. 10). He was less popular in the UK, but did still manage four chart hits with "Why", "Ginger Bread", "Venus" and "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops". Most of his hit songs were written and/or produced by Bob Marcucci, head of Chancellor Records. Avalon concentrated on his acting career which detracted from his recording career, and "Why" of 1959 would be Avalon's final top 10 hit.
Avalon's first film was a short appearance in Jamboree (1957), playing a trumpet and singing "Teacher's Pet".
In the late 1950s, teen idols were often given roles in films, supporting older male stars in order to attract a younger audience, such as Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo (1959). Alan Ladd's daughter was a Frankie Avalon fan, who recommended that he co-star with her father in the Western Guns of the Timberland (1960). Avalon sings two songs, "The Faithful Kind" and "Gee Whiz Whillikins Golly Gee"; both were released as singles.
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