From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Wed Sep 18, 2002  1:19 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Frankie Avalon
 
FRANKIE AVALON

Born Francis Thomas Avallone, 18 September 1939, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Alongside his fellow Chancellor Records artist Fabian, Avalon is often put
down by rock critics as a symbol of the dilution of rock and roll in the
late fifties. As such, his inclusion in this feature is relevant.
The photogenic '50s teen idol started as a trumpet-playing child prodigy.
His first recordings in 1954 were the instrumentals "Trumpet Sorrento"
and "Trumpet Tarantella" on X-Vik Records (an RCA subsidiary). In the
mid-'50s, he appeared on many television and radio shows including those
of Paul Whiteman, Jackie Gleason and Ray Anthony. He joined Rocco &
The Saints and was seen singing with them in the 1957 film "Jamboree"
("Disc Jockey Jamboree" in the UK). Avalon signed to Chancellor Records
and early in 1958 his third single for them, "Dede Dinah" reached # 7 on
the Billboard charts. It was the first of his 25 US chart entries, many of
which were (co-)written by his hard-working manager, Bob Marcucci.
Despite the fact that he had a weak voice, he quickly became one of the
top stars in the US and managed two chart toppers in 1959, "Venus" and
"Why", which were his only UK Top 20 entries. He had to wait until his
21st birthday in 1960 to receive the $100,000 he had earned to date and
by that time his success as a singer was past its peak and he turned his
attention to acting. His acting career was also successful, with appearances
in many films including a string of beach movies, alongside fellow '50s pop
star Annette. He also appeared in the very successful 1978 film, "Grease".
Later he recorded with little success for United Artists, Reprise, Metromedia,
Regalia, Delite, Amos and Bobcat. Apart from his film and occasional TV
appearances, Avalon still performs on the supper-club circuit.

There are many "Best Of'" compilations, but the only one to include
"Ooh La La" (IMO his best number, with a strong guitar solo, probably
by Al Caiola) is "The Best Of Frankie Avalon" on the German Generic
label (24 tracks).
More info: http://www.yesterdayland.com/popopedia/shows/music/mu1006.php