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Born
Francis Thomas Avallone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 18th September
1939, he first entered show business as a child prodigy trumpet player and
initially began singing when he was only 14 years old. In 1957 he was a
member of 'Rocco & The Saints' (which also included the singer Bobby Rydell)
and appeared that year in the movie 'Jamboree', performing the number 'Teacher's
Pet'.
In fact, his film career proved as fruitful as his recording one, as he
appeared in nearly three dozen movies including 'The Alamo', 'Voyage to
The Bottom of the Sea' and 'The Haunted House of Horror'.He
also appeared in 'Grease' in 1979 as the Teen Angel performing 'Beauty School
Dropout' and, over the years, has continued to make guest appearances in
that role in stage versions of the musical. He is most noted for the series
of 'Beach Movies' he made with Annette Funicello, that became
a template for the entire film genre. They included 'Beach Party', 'Bikini
Beach Party', 'Muscle Beach Party', 'Beach Blanket Bingo' and 'How to Stuff
a Wild Bikini'.
In 1978 he was reunited with his former co-star
in the TV movie 'Frankie & Annette: The Second Time Around' and the
two co-starred once again in the feature film 'The Final Chapter -
Back To The Beach' (also known as 'Malibu Beach Girls') in 1989. He
also appeared in the TV movie 'The Annette Funicello Story' in 1995.
His early recordings were 'Cupid' and 'Teacher's Pet', backed by The
Saints, making his chart debut in 1958 with 'Dede Dinah'. His other
hits include 'Ginger Bread', 'I'll Wait for You', 'Venus', 'Bobby
Sox to Stockings', 'A Boy Without a Girl', 'Just Ask Your Heart',
'Why', 'Swingin' on a Rainbow', 'Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops',
'Where Are You?', 'Togetherness' and 'You Are Mine.' He has had 25
entries in the American charts including several million-sellers and
two chart toppers - 'Venus' and 'Why'. A number of his hits were penned
by his manager Bob Marucci.
Frankie ceased having hits in the Sixties, but continued to record
for a number of labels, although he had more success on the US cabaret
circuit.
He also appeared regularly in numerous episodes of various TV series
including 'Fantasy Island', 'The Love Boat', 'Police Story', 'Happy
Days', 'Rawhide', 'It Takes A Thief' and 'Burke's Law'.
Along with Bobby Rydell and Fabian he appeared on a successful 50
city tour 'The Golden Boys of Bandstand' in 1985.
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Bill Harry 2012 Original
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