Hello,  One of the most consistent hit makers of the late 1950′s and early 1960′s was Francis Avallone or as the music world knows him, Frankie Avalon.  Frankie was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 18, 1939.  His story is that of legends, beginning his career in 1953 while working with bands in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  In 1956 he was with Rocco & His Saints as a singer/trumpet player.  Frankie and another member of the band, Bobby Rydell…..did pretty good for themselves as solo recording artists.

Frankie hit the charts in January of 1958 with “DEDE DINAH” on Chancellor Records and continued putting out hit after hit until 1962.  In February of 1959 he charted his first #1 record, the million-selling, “VENUS”.  To close out 1959 his recording of “WHY” entered the Billboard Hot 100 on November 23, 1959 and went right to the top of the chart at #1.  The single had a 16 week stay on the chart.  ”Why” became Frankie’s second #1 hit and was a million-seller.  “Why” also has the distinction of being the last #1 single of the 1950′s decade, it reached #1 on December 28, 1959.  The song was written by Frankie’s manager and record producer Bob Marcucci and Peter De Angelis.

The “B” side of the record was the big band sounding swing number, “SWINGIN’ ON A RAINBOW”.  It made its Hot 100 debut on December 21, 1959 almost a month after “Why”.  The single climbed up the Hot 100, all the way to #39, giving Frankie a double-sided Top 40 hit.  There was an album titled “Swingin’ On A Rainbow” that contained the single and other songs and standards in the vein of the title track.

“Why” would be Frankie Avalon’s last #1 single record.  He would co-star with Annette Funicello in many beach movies and other motion pictures.  Frankie was the #1 Hot 100 artist of 1959.  He ranks #24 in the 1950′s and #152 all-time according to Joel Whitburn of Record Research.

SEE A VIDEO OF FRANKIE AVALON ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE.

Till the next time—Joe