WE’ RE BROOKLYNPLAYING

Memoirs Of Frank Lafaro

Like most Philly boys, I come from humble beginnings. All four of my grandparents came over from Italy at the start of the 20th century. My Dad’s people came from Naples & settled in South Philadelphia. My Mom’s folks hailed from Abbruzzo and made their home in an enclave comprised of other Italian and Irish immigrants. This neighborhood was known as 49thSt, in West Philadelphia.

I was born an only child in the year 1945, and remained that way, all of my life. Mom’s parents lived around the block from us and my nonna watched me while my mom, a children’s dress designer, worked. My crib was placed next to the old player piano in the dining room, and the family would know when I awoke from my nap, by the tinkling of the keys.

At the age of six, I began taking piano lessons from the Immaculate Heart Of Mary nuns, at the convent of Lady Of The Angels Church, where I attended school. The lessons lasted for seven years. At age 13, I recruited a couple of neighborhood pals and we began a little harmony group, copying doo wop groups that we heard on the radio. From that point on, I never stopped singing.

At age 17, my group had a name! We called ourselves Frankie & the Fashions, and we continue with that name till this day. There have been many members who have come and gone over the years, thus altering the configuration of singers. We sang on streetcorners and subways all over the city.