Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon, singer and actor
Frankie Avalon was born Francis Avallone on September 18, 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At an early age, Frankie showed much promise on the trumpet - so much so that he was picked out by a producer to appear on "The Jackie Gleason Show" when he was just 13. In his teens he began playing in bands in the Philadelphia and New York City area, but was generally disappointed with his lot in life. When he was asked by friend and producer Bob Mariucci if he wanted to take part in the new rock 'n roll fad, Frankie agreed.