Frankie Carle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frankie Carle
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Carle circa 1943
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Francesco Nunzio Carlone |
| Also known as | Frankie Carle, The Wizard of the Keyboard |
| Born | March 25, 1903 Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
| Died | March 7, 2001 (aged 97) Mesa, Arizona, United States |
| Genres | Big band, easy listening, pop standard, piano |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Years active | 1916–1989 |
Frankie Carle was a famous American pianist and bandleader. He was born Francis Nunzio Carlone on March 25, 1903, and lived until March 7, 2001. People called him "The Wizard of the Keyboard" because he was so good at playing the piano. His most famous song, "Sunrise Serenade", became a huge hit in 1938 and sold over a million copies!
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Frankie Carle was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 25, 1903. His dad worked in a factory and couldn't afford a piano. So, Frankie practiced on a pretend keyboard that his uncle, Nicholas Colangelo, made for him. He kept practicing until he found a real, old piano in a dance hall.
When he was a teenager in 1916, Frankie started playing with his uncle's band. He also played with other local bands in Rhode Island. To become more popular, he changed his last name from Carlone to Carle. Many Italian American musicians did this back then.
Frankie Carle's Music Career
Frankie Carle started his career playing with many popular dance bands. From 1924 to 1929, he recorded and performed with the Edwin J. McEnelly Orchestra. He played the piano and also wrote many of the band's music arrangements. In 1934, he joined Mal Hallett and his orchestra. By 1935, he had his own orchestra and was even called "America's Greatest Pianist" in an advertisement.
He became very well-known when he joined Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights in 1939. He later became a co-leader of that band. Because he was so popular with Heidt's band, he decided to start his own group in 1944. It was called The Frankie Carle Orchestra.
Frankie's daughter, Marjorie Hughes, sang with his band. But he kept their relationship a secret until a famous writer named Walter Winchell shared the news. After 1955, his band stopped performing, and Frankie mostly played by himself. From the 1950s to the 1980s, he continued to perform as a solo artist and had many loyal fans.
During World War II, Frankie Carle helped with the V-Disc program. This program made special recordings for American soldiers. He introduced a V-Disc that featured his new song, "Moonlight Whispers." His famous song "Sunrise Serenade" was also released as a V-Disc in 1944.
Frankie Carle on the Radio
Frankie Carle was heard on the radio early in his career. He played piano for a singing group called The Four Belles. In the mid-1940s, Carle and singer Allan Jones starred in the Old Gold Show on CBS radio. Frankie Carle was also featured on other radio shows like Pot o' Gold, Treasure Chest, and The Chesterfield Supper Club.
Frankie Carle's Compositions
Frankie Carle's music was known for being light and cheerful. His piano playing had a bouncy touch, which created romantic and danceable tunes. These songs were very popular with his fans.
Some of his most famous songs include:
- "Sunrise Serenade"
- "Falling Leaves"
- "Oh! What It Seemed to Be" (recorded by Frank Sinatra)
- "Roses in the Rain" (also recorded by Frank Sinatra)
- "A Lover's Lullaby"
- "Swing and a Miss"
- "Syncopated Doll"
- "This Day"
- "Travelin' Mood"
- "When Your Lips Met Mine"
- "Why Oh Why"
- "You Are There"
- "You and the Stars and Me"
- "Carle Boogie"
- "Sunrise Boogie"
- "Sunrise in Napoli"
- "Georgianna"
- "Blue Fantasy"
- "I Didn't Know"
- "The Golden Touch"
- "The Apple Valley Waltz"
- "Moonlight Whispers" (released as a V-Disc in 1944)
Awards and Recognition
Frankie Carle received several important honors for his music. In 1989, he was added to the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. This is a special place for famous musicians like Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. In 1968, he was also inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.
On February 8, 1960, Frankie Carle received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You can find his star on the West Side of the 1700 Block of VINE Street in Hollywood. The famous jazz pianist and teacher Joanne Brackeen has said that Frankie Carle inspired her when she was learning to play the piano. In April 2016, after he passed away, Frankie Carle was also inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame (RIMHOF).
Later Years and Passing
Frankie Carle passed away peacefully in Mesa, Arizona, in 2001. He was almost 98 years old. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). Frankie Carle was a Roman Catholic, and his funeral Mass was held at Holy Cross Church in Mesa, Arizona. He is remembered by his daughter, Marjorie Hughes Wahl, his granddaughter Susan Zimmerman, his grandson Richard Douce, and his great-granddaughter Veronica.
See also
- Ralph Patt, a jazz guitarist who toured with Carle
Images for kids
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Carle circa 1943
