Frankie Avalon to Appear at ONU

Ohio Northern University will present Frankie Avalon in the Biggs Theater of the ONU Freed Center of the Performing Arts on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 8 p.m.

One of a number of teen idols to come out of Philadelphia in the 1950s and 1960s, Avalon made his name with his distinct voice and the popular beach movies with co-star Annette Funicello.

Avalon landed a recording contract with Philadelphia's Chancellor Records, and he recorded "Cupid" and "Teacher's Pet.” These records got him his first movie role, a small part in Jamboree (1957) designed to promote "Teacher's Pet."

After an appearance on Dick Clark's teen dance show "Bandstand" (1952), sales of the record zoomed and it eventually sold more than a million copies. His next several songs were also big hits, and in 1959 he recorded the song he is probably best known for, the million-selling "Venus."

Along with Funicello, Avalon’s popularity soared with the movie Beach Party (1963) and he became a pop icon. He still records songs for Chancellor and other labels, but now he is far better known among younger audiences for his movies than for his records. In 1978, both old and new fans alike enjoyed him as the Teen Angel in the movie Grease. In 1985 he began touring with fellow teen idols Rydell and Fabian in an oldies show called "The Golden Boys of Bandstand.

Tickets are $30. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling (419) 772-1900.

Published: Tue, 10/03/2006 - 12:00am