Speaking Frankie

Kirk Baird

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 9:06 a.m.

For nearly 50 years Philadelphia-born Frankie Avalon has been a household name.

There were his early days in the late '50s-early '60s as a teen-pop sensation, with such hits as "Dede Dinah," "Venus" and "Why."

In the early-to-mid '60s there was his successful beach-party movie series ("Bikini Beach" and "Beach Blanket Bingo," among others) with co-star Annette Funicello. The films remain so popular, in fact, a beach party-themed slot machine will make its casino debut worldwide in the coming months.

And for Generation-Xers, Avalon, who performs today and Saturday at the Orleans, will forever be associated with his songs and minor role as Teen Angel in the 1978 movie "Grease."

In light of the ongoing national crisis, however, in a recent telephone interview from Avalon's home near Malibu, Calif., there was more to discuss with the 62-year-old singer-actor than career reflections:

Las Vegas Sun: Where were you when the terrorists attacks on New York City began?

Frankie Avalon: It must have been about 6 o'clock in the morning ... my wife said, "Frankie, you've got to see this. Look at this! Look at this!" She had the TV on and I went and saw the one tower in smoke and flames, and then I saw the other plane live the moment it hit the tower. I was absolutely devastated. I was in total shock to see this happening right before my eyes.

Sun: Has the devastation sunk in yet?

FA: I've gone through so many emotions. And today probably the worst emotion I have with this is absolute sheer hatred ... mad ... anger.

Sun: Did you know anyone affected by the World Trade Center attacks?

FA: The only one I knew was a friend of mine who was scheduled to have an operation that particular day. They were prepping him that morning and all of a sudden they canceled the operation. Doctors were called away, hospital beds were needed and he was sent home and (the operation) rescheduled. That's the only closeness I've had to it.

Sun: How do think this crisis will affect the United States?

FA: I really don't know. We're in shambles right now. But this is the strongest, the greatest country in the entire world. We will pull together -- I think it's starting to happen already. And, I think, like the president said, we will win, we will conquer, and we'll go straight ahead and still be the strongest country this world has ever known.

Sun: On a lighter note, is it true you didn't much care for your breakthrough single, "Dede Dinah," before it was released in 1958.

FA: It was a staccato, rhythmic song that really didn't appeal to me. So, I kinda started fooling around with it in the studio, and started holding my nose and singing through my nose. The producer got a kick out of it and we did a couple of takes like that. So I figured I'd do them, but that he wasn't going to put this out. When the record was released, I was more embarrassed than anything.

Sun: What are your feelings about the song now?

FA: I think it's a fun song. I do it tongue-in-cheek, and I think I did it tongue-in-cheek to start with.

Sun: As well known as your songs remain, you'll also forever be associated with the beach-party films. Do you ever watch any of those movies?

FA: You can't miss them. This last Labor Day AMC (American Movie Classics) played every one of our beach pictures throughout the day and night -- that's around the country. Every once in awhile I'd pass by them and turn them on. My grandkids were with me, and we were looking at them and laughing because they are fun.

Sun: When you were making these movies, did you view them that way -- as goofy fun?

FA: Exactly. It's the same kind of feeling when I did "Dede Dinah": Let's just do it. Once in a while I'd get a little into the acting and go to the director and say, "You know, I don't think the character ... " He'd say "What character? Just say the words. Come on, we've got another set-up to do."

Sun: Have you spoken to Annette lately?

FA: Keep her in your prayers. She's really having a tough, tough time.

Sun: Before you played the role of Teen Angel in "Grease," you were offered a part in the theatrical production. How did that come about?

FA: In the late '60s I was trying to change an image of being the teenage idol and going into more serious things. But unfortunately, as much as I was gaining in my knowledge, the public was not really accepting it at that time. So I was going through this kind of lean time in my career, which is fine because that's the only way you learn. And towards the end -- '68, '69 -- two fellows out of Chicago (Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey) came to me and said, "We've got this play we wrote. It's called 'Grease' and we want you to play the lead ... Danny Zuko." We had a meeting and they explained it to me. I said, "No, I'm not interested. I'm going another way -- that's the rock 'n' roll thing."

Long story short, they go, they make it, and do it on Broadway and it becomes one of the longest-running plays. I didn't regret it because that's where I was at the time.

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