Frankie Laine American singer, composer and actor Date of Birth: 30.03.1913 Country: USA

1. Biography of Frankie Lane
2. Early Life and Influences
3. Musical Influences
4. Career Breakthrough
5. Success and Legacy

Biography of Frankie Lane

Frankie Lane, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio on March 30, 1913, in Chicago, was an American singer, composer, and actor. He had a career that spanned 75 years, starting from his first concert in 1930 and ending with his last performance of the song 'That's My Desire' in 2005. Lane, widely known as Mr. Rhythm and Mr. Steel Tonsils, performed many hit songs including 'That Lucky Old Sun', 'Jezebel', 'I Believe', 'Cool Water', 'Love is a Golden Ring', 'Lord, You Gave Me a Mountain', and many more.

Early Life and Influences

Frankie Lane was born to Giovanni LoVecchio and Cresenzia Salerno, who had immigrated from Monreale, Sicily, to Chicago. His family was rumored to have ties to the mafia, and he lived with his grandfather who was killed by members of a rival gang. Lane was the oldest of eight children and gained his first singing experience in the church choir while attending Lane Technical College Prep High School. He developed his vocal abilities and breath control by joining the track and basketball teams.

Lane's passion for singing was ignited when he skipped school to watch Al Jolson in the musical film 'The Singing Fool'. His vocal talents were already exceptional in the 1920s, and he was often invited to sing at parties and local clubs, including the Chicago Merry Garden Ballroom. At the age of 17, he successfully performed in front of an audience of 5,000 people, receiving multiple encores. Lane's journey as a singer began when he was asked to sing on stage while giving dance lessons at a charity ball.

Musical Influences

Enrico Caruso, Carlo Buti, and Bessie Smith were significant influences on Lane during the early stages of his career. He was captivated by the recordings of Bessie Smith, saying, "I dropped the needle on the record and felt a chill and an indescribable excitement. It was my first encounter with jazz and blues, although I had no idea how to describe those magical sounds. I just knew I wanted to hear more." Another singer who influenced Lane was falsetto vocalist Gene Austin, whose voice he heard regularly while working at a pharmacy across from a music store.

Later, Lane was inspired by Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Mildred Bailey, and Nat 'King' Cole. He became close friends with Cole during the early years of the latter's career. Lane's songwriting skills also developed during this time, and Cole recorded Lane's composition 'It Only Happens Once'. The two remained lifelong friends.

Career Breakthrough

Lane's career took off when he replaced Perry Como in Freddy Carlone's group in Cleveland in 1937. Como became another lifelong friend of Lane. However, luck turned against Lane for a while, even though he began writing songs seriously. He changed jobs multiple times, including working at a defense plant, and endured a period of poverty, sleeping on a park bench in Central Park on 4 pennies a day.

Finally, in 1938, Francesco LoVecchio renamed himself Frankie Lane after signing a contract with New York radio station WINS. In 1943, Lane moved to California and befriended radio DJ Al Jarvis and composer/pianist Carl Fisher. Fisher became Lane's musical director, accompanist, and songwriting collaborator until his death in 1954.

Success and Legacy

As Lane's success grew, fueled in part by his hit songs for western movies, he began setting commercial records. For example, his ballad 'I Believe' stayed at the top of the British charts for 18 consecutive weeks in 1953. Lane's songs held the number one position in the British charts for a total of 27 weeks. Although his career slowed down in the 1980s after heart surgery, Lane continued to release new albums.

Lane passed away on February 6, 2007, due to heart failure. He left behind a legacy as an iconic American singer who conquered various genres and styles, including gospel, rock, folk, jazz, blues, and pop. His contributions to music and his unforgettable voice continue to inspire generations of musicians.