Frankie Avalon: Manufactured Superstar!

The packaging of good looking and talented young people for consumption by the American public is nothing new.

Since the dawn of rock & roll—and its marriage to television, there was a market for teen idols—and record labels rarely disappointed.

One such “manufactured” star was Frankie Avalon, a trumpet player for Bobby Rydell. Luckily for him, he was a Philadelphia kid---and Philly was a hotbed of pop music. The young man was noticed—and set up to succeed, starting with his biggest #1 record, “Venus”, which hit the top spot on the charts on this date in 1959.

Here is Frankie lip-synching it on TV:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSyMxJDaK90

No doubt he was a teen idol judging by the squeals of his young fans! Frankie Avalon would go on to score a slew of chart hits, including “Bobby Sox To Stockings”, “Why” and “Just Ask Your Heart”.

Success on the radio and TV translated to the big screen, as Frankie was paired with Annette Funicello, starring in the “Beach Blanket Bingo”-type movies that further solidified their status as teen icons—and eventually brought both of them image problems they would never outgrow. His appearance as “Teen Angel” in the 1976 hot movie “Grease” (singing “Beauty School Dropout”) introduced him to a brand new audience.

He got married in 1963 to Kathryn Diebel over the objections of his agent, who warned Avalon that his “teen mystique” would be ruined. Maybe so, but the marriage is still going strong (so rare in show biz), with eight children and ten grandchildren in the family.

From the many TV appearances (often playing himself) to cameo movie roles and his own line of cosmetic and health aids, Frankie Avalon hasn’t slowed down even as he passes his 70th birthday.

Not bad for a kid from Philly.


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