Role

:

Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 30, 1913 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

February 6, 2007 in San Diego, CA

 

Frankie Laine was an American singer, songwriter, and actor who was born on March 30, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the eldest of eight children and grew up in a poor family. His parents were Italian immigrants, and his father worked as a barber. Laine's love for music began at an early age, and he started singing in his church choir when he was just five years old. Laine dropped out of high school and began working odd jobs to support his family. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio, in the early 1930s and started performing in local clubs and bars. He was discovered by a talent scout and signed his first recording contract with Mercury Records in 1946. Laine's career took off in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and he became one of the most popular singers of the era. He had a powerful and distinctive voice that was often compared to that of a trumpet. He was known for his ability to sing a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, blues, pop, and country. One of Laine's biggest hits was "That's My Desire," which was released in 1947. The song reached number four on the Billboard charts and sold over a million copies. Laine's other hits from this period included "Mule Train," "Jezebel," and "High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin')." Laine's success continued into the 1950s, and he became a regular performer on television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Perry Como Show. He also appeared in several movies, including Blazing Saddles and Rawhide. In 1953, Laine won his first Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Male Pop Vocalist for his recording of "I Believe." He went on to win three more Grammy Awards in the 1950s, including Best Performance by a Male Pop Vocalist for "Hey Joe!" and Best Performance by a Male Pop Vocalist for "The Girl in the Wood." Laine's popularity began to wane in the 1960s, as rock and roll became the dominant musical genre. However, he continued to record and perform throughout the decade, and he had a minor hit in 1963 with "Don't Make My Baby Blue." In the 1970s, Laine's career experienced a resurgence, thanks in part to his appearances on The Muppet Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He also recorded several albums with the composer and arranger Michel Legrand, including "Reunion in Rhythm" and "The New Frankie Laine Album." Laine continued to perform into the 1980s and 1990s, and he remained a beloved figure in the world of music. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996, and he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 1999. Frankie Laine passed away on February 6, 2007, at the age of 93. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, and his music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

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