Frankie Sardo

The Italian born Sardo was born in 1939. He received his formal education in show business by acting, singing and dancing with his parents in Italian theatres after having made his musical debut at the age of five.

Upon graduating in New York City, he continued his education in Virginia where he studied, produced and acted in plays. He then entered show-biz as part of a comedy team after returning from the Korean War via the US Army. In 1958 he began teaming with his brother John to record 45s as "Frankie & Johnny" for various labels.

Frankie hoped that a new solo recording penned by his brother, on a major label (ABC-Paramount) would be his big break. After "Fake Out" broke out in the Midwest US, he was invited to join the Winter Dance Party tour of 1959.

Frankie had recordings on various labels throughout 1962, but none made the charts again. He married, quit performing, and went into record production. He also turned to acting in U.S. and Italian movies and off-Broadway theater before moving into the night club business with his father Marco in the mid-60s. In 1968, he moved to California where he helped produce music for the biker film "Hell's Angels '69". Sardo listed his occupation as movie producer when he and 7 others were arrested by Scotland Yard detectives in London in November of 1971 in connection with the theft of $30 million in securities from a Chicago company. He says he was acquitted.

He then took his mother's maiden name of Avianca, and has split his time between homes in Sicily, London & New York while working as an independent film producer.



PARTIAL DISCOGRAPHY

Labels:
* ABC-Paramount
   Fake Out / Class Room (#9963) 1959
   Oh Linda / No Love Like Mine (#10003) 1959
 
* Lido (1959)
   Kiss & Make Up / The Girl I'm Gonna Dream About (#602)

* MGM  
   May I / The Story Of Love (#12621) 1958

* Newtown
   Mr. Make Believe / I Got You Where I Want You  (5005) 1962

* SG (1960)

* 20th Fox (1960)
   I Know Why & So Do You / When The Bells Stop Ringing (#208)
   Bonnie Bonnie / Dream Lover (#221) 1960


* Studio (1961)
   Just You Watch Me / I'm Sittin' At Home (#9910)

* Rayna (1962)
   She Taught Me How To Cry / Ring Of Love   (#5005)