FABIAN Fabulously Greatful

Fabian

Fabian, born on Feb. 6, 1943 in Pennsylvania — also the home town of Frankie Avalon, with whom he shared both manager and record label — his real name was Fabiano Forte Bonaparte. It was said that he was 'discovered' walking down the street by a talent scout impressed by his Italianate profile. If Stan Freberg's character, Clyde Ankle, was a satire on any one figure, it was Fabian. His record company (Chancellor) released five singles in 1959 in the hope that he might catch on as another Elvis Presley.

These included 'I'm A Man', `Turn Me Loose', 'Tiger', 'Come On And Get Me' and 'Hound Dog Man'. All figured in the Hot Hundred al-though, in Britain, his contrived image never caught on in the same way. His films included Hound Dog Man (1959), North To Alaska (1960) and Fireball 500 (1966).