Frankie
Ford
FRANKIE
FORD sang his way to rock n' roll immortality in 1959 with the
mega hit "SEA CRUISE". That song has become one of the
greatest rock n' roll classics of all time. The tag line, "OOH-WEE,
OOH-WEE, BABY" is one of the most recognizable lines in all
of popular music. The license plates on his cars in Louisiana
reads "OOH-WEE". He was born and raised in the New Orleans
area where he still lives in his hometown suburb of Gretna, Louisiana.
He is known
all over the world as the "New Orleans Dynamo" and spends
about 200 days a year on the road. The legendary rock n' roll
pianist and performer continues to entertain the masses all over
the world in concerts, night clubs, casinos and festivals.
FRANKIE FORD
is a world-class act and has performed on some of the world's
greatest stages, including Royal Albert Hall in London, The Hollywood
Bowl, The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Hollywood's Universal
Amphitheatre, The Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, the Waldorf-Astoria
Grand Ballroom in New York, 100 Club in London, The Lincoln Centre
in New York and the list goes on and on.
He was born
on August 4, 1939... the adopted son of Vincent & Anna Guzzo.
He studied singing and dancing and first appeared on stage at
the tender age of 5 in early 1945. He's been going strong ever
since! In 1952, he performed on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour in New
York and won many other local, regional and national vocal competitions.
While in high
school he joined a group called "The Syncopators" as
singer and piano player. His early piano influences were Clarence
"Frogman" Henry, Huey Smith, Fats Domino, Ray Charles
and Professor Longhair.
One night
after a local gig, Frankie was introduced to Joe Caronna, who
was the New Orleans distributor for Ace Records. Asked if he was
interested in making a record, Frankie's answer was, of course,
"yes!" Caronna was so impressed with Frankie that he
became his manager and set up his first recording session at Cosimo
Matassa's studio. The result of that Ace Records' session was
Frankie's first regional hit, "CHEATIN' WOMAN."
"SEA
CRUISE" was the follow up record on Ace and the rest is musical
history! Initially, the other side of the record, "ROBERTA",
was the "A" side and is still considered a real rock
n' roll classic. Frankie's other hits on Ace Records include "ALIMONY",
"TIME AFTER TIME", "I WANT TO BE YOUR MAN",
"DANNY BOY" and "WHAT'S GOING ON".
In 1960, Frankie
signed with Imperial records after they approached him with an
offer he couldn't refuse. Produced by Dave Bartholomew, Frankie's
first Imperial release was "YOU TALK TOO MUCH", a cover
of Joe Jones' legal entangled versions on Ric and Roulette Records.
Imperial released several other Frankie Ford records, including
"SEVENTEEN", "SATURDAY NIGHT FISH FRY", "DOG
HOUSE", "THE GROOM", "LET THEM TALK",
and "A MAN ONLY DOES".
In 1962, Frankie
was drafted into the U.S. Army and continued to entertain as a
member of Special Services, throughout the United States, Korea
and Viet Nam. After his honorable discharge from the Army he continued
to record for various labels. Doubloon Records in New Orleans
recorded "I CAN'T FACE TOMORROW", b/w "HALF A CROWN"
, arranged by Allen Toussaint. That record was #1 in the New Orleans
market. During the 70's & 80's he recorded for Paula, Cinnamon,
ABC and Briarmeade Records.
In 1984, he
recorded the "New Orleans Dynamo" album in London with
producer Mike Vernon, which included the critically acclaimed
single, "WHISKEY HEAVEN".
In 1995, Frankie
returned to Ace Records to record a new album, 'HOT & LONELY,"
included are such songs as "MEET ME TONIGHT", "GONE",
"THREE PEOPLE SLEEPING IN MY BED", "LOVE STEALIN'TIME
AGAIN", "DANCIN' WITH MY BABY", and the title tune,
"HOT & LONELY" which was written by R&B singer/songwriter
Lee Fields.
In 1998, Avanti
Records released "FRANKIE FORD - "A NEW ORLEANS TRADITION",
featuring brand new vocals by Frankie on the original music tracks
of some of the greatest Ace Records ever released. Among the classics
are "ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA & THE BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU",
"JUST A MOMENT", "PROMISES", "TIME AFTER
TIME", "SEA CRUISE" and many others.
Also in 1998,
Westside Records in London, released "OOH-WEE, BABY! THE
BEST OF FRANKIE FORD" that includes nearly everything Frankie
recorded for Ace, including released, unreleased and alternate
takes, with a total of 27 tracks! Their U.S. affiliate Music Club
has also released a similar package. Stardust Records (Canada)
has issued his "THE ALL TIME GREATEST HITS OF FRANKIE FORD".
His TV Special
on the BRAVO Cable Channel "MUSIC FROM NEW ORLEANS"
starring FRANKIE FORD and Special Guest JEAN KNIGHT with TOMMY
RIDGLEY and OLIVER MORGAN, has aired several times during 1997
& 1998.
His performance
in the 1978 Paramount Pictures film,"AMERICAN HOT WAX",
received rave reviews and airs repeatedly on HBO and Cinemax and
is now available on videocassette.
"SEA
CRUISE" etched Frankie's name in rock n' roll and R&B
history, but the story doesn't end there. It has been used to
advertise Diet Coke and Sprite, Coors Light Beer on radio and
TV commercials. It's on the soundtrack of the award winning Canadian
film "My American Cousin", as well as in "Stewardess
School", "Ski Patrol", "Quantum Leap",
and "Lifestyles of The Rich & Famous".
He was inducted
into The Louisiana Hall of Fame, Louisiana Treasures Hall of Fame,
The Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame in Port Arthur, Texas and received
the Lifetime Achievement Award from The South Louisiana Music
Association. He is an Honorary Insurance Commissioner in Louisiana
and holds the title of "KING OF SWAMP POP MUSIC", awarded
by Louisiana Lt. Governor Melinda Schwegmann.
FRANKIE FORD...
THE LEGEND CONTINUES!
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