Frank Paul LoVeccio (Frankie Laine)
Born March 30th 1913, Chicago, USA
Born March 30th 1913, Chicago, USA
In the world of popular music, only a handful of performers have demonstrated the lasting appeal it takes to weather
the onslaught of fads and changing trends over the years, and Frankie Laine is a classic example. His impeccable
musicianship and taste have kept him an international favourite for over four decades.
Ever since his recording of
That's My Desire, burst onto the scene in 1947, praise has poured in from all
corners, from young and old alike, for this gifted artist, for top nightclub engagements, both here and in Europe.
Today, 21 Gold records later, Frankie Laine has become a musical tradition.
In 1953,
I Believe,, topped the British charts and stayed number one for eighteen
weeks, an unbeaten performance that even the Beatles never matched. His popularity continued to grow as he
went to England for a record-breaking engagement at the London Palladium.
His recording of "You Gave Me a Mountain," a song written especially for him by his good friend, Marty
Robbins, went gold in the early 1970's a time by which many of his contemporaries had long since quieted down.
Frankie continues to record exciting new material while maintaining a healthy respect for the songs, like
"Mule Train,"
That Lucky Old Sun,, "I Believe," and "Jezebel," which
all his longtime admirers know by heart. Many of these tunes were collected into an album entitled:"The World of
Frankie Laine," that topped the charts in England in 1982.
Since then, this album has been issued in 43
different countries. Recently, a crowd of 50,000 came to see and to cheer him. Not too bad for a Sicilian kid, born to
immigrant parents in Chicago's Little Italy.
His hit records were followed by starring roles in several motion pictures, guest appearance on numerous radio and
television shows, and his own television variety program on CBS.
He has performed the title songs for seven motion pictures, including Mel Brooks Western farce,
"Blazing Saddles." Laine's featured recording of
Rawhide, has become one of the most popular theme
songs of all time.
After recovering from a second bypass surgery in 1990, he began work on his autobiography which he called,of course,
"That Lucky Old Sun."
The book was published in 1993 and has met with great success. His latest album, "Wheels of Dreams" was
released in 1998.
Frankie Laine continues to receive accolades from both professional and lay organizations for his contributions to the
entertainment industry and for his humanitarian works, which are many, and on June 12, 1996, he was presented with a
Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th Annual Songwriter's Hall of Fame awards at a ceremony at the New York
Sheraton.