WHEREAS, Frankie Avalon was born Francis Avallone in 1940 in South Philadelphia. At a young age, his father taught him how to play the trumpet and he often appeared at Palumbo’s CR Club; and
WHEREAS, In 1952, while performing at a private party for legend Al Martino, a talent scout was impressed by Avalon’s talent. Frankie soon performed on Jackie Gleason’s TV show which led to his first record on a local Philadelphia label; and
WHEREAS, Frankie eventually signed with Philadelphia’s own Chancellor Records and recorded his first singles “Cupid” and “Teacher’s Pet.” His next single, “De De Dinah,” he had so little respect for that he recorded it while holding his nose; however, after appearing on Dick Clark’s
American Bandstand
the song became his first hit and sold over a million copies. After “De De Dinah,” his next several songs were big hits culminating in the huge success of “Venus”; and
WHEREAS, In 1960 Frankie Avalon began to appear in films like
The Alamo
and in 1963 held the starring role in
Drums of Africa.
Also in 1963, Frankie was first paired with Annette Funicello in
Beach Party
. This film and its sequels, featuring surfing, dancing and bikinis, were a hit with teenagers and rocketed Avalon to immortality; and
WHEREAS, Frankie’s career has continued through the years with the recording of dozens of singles and his appearance in over 30 films and he continues to headline shows in Las Vegas Hotel Mainrooms; and
WHEREAS, Frankie Avalon has not appeared in Philadelphia in several years and he returns to be the headline talent for the 2006 Sorrento Cheese 9th Street Italian Market Festival; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares May 18, 2006 as Frankie Avalon Day in honor of his three generation career in music, movies and television and for his appearance at the 2006 Sorrento Cheese 9th Street Italian Market Festival.
End