Fabian born 6 February 1943

Fabiano Anthony Forte (born February 6, 1943), better known as Fabian, is a former American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. In total, he charted 11 hit singles in the Billboard Hot 100.

Fabian was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Josephine and Domenic Forte. His father was a policeman and had ill health. Fabian was discovered in 1957 by Bob Marcucci and Peter DeAngelis, owners of Chancellor Records. At the time, record producers were looking to the South Philadelphia neighbourhoods in search of teenage talents with good looks, and Frankie Avalon, also of South Philly, suggested Fabian as a possibility.

Fabian's father could not work any longer and since Fabian was the oldest of three brothers, he took a chance at making some money in the music business to help his family out. He never thought of singing and recording as a career, only as a way of stepping in for his father at the time. And yet, before he knew it, Fabian's popularity soared, and soon thousands rushed to his concerts. At fifteen, Fabian won the Silver Award as "The Promising Male Vocalist of 1958".

With songwriters Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, Fabian released a series of hit singles for Chancellor Records including "I'm a Man", "Hound Dog Man", "Turn Me Loose", and his biggest hit, "Tiger". His career in music basically ended with the payola scandal of the 1960s, when it was alleged that his records were doctored significantly to improve his voice.

 

Fabian went on to appear in more than 30 films, including Five Weeks in a Balloon, High Time, North to Alaska, The Longest Day and Ride the Wild Surf (1964) (with Tab Hunter). Most of his early films were comedies, and cast him as a restless teenager with a penchant for singing. After 1965, his film and singing career began to fade, along with his popularity as a teen idol. He was one of the few celebrities to pose with semi-frontal nudity during the late 1970s, posing for Playgirl magazine in its September 1973 issue.

He never regained his former stature, but has continued performing for more than 40 years. Since 1985 he has been appearing with Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell to perform concerts as The Golden Boys. Countless television appearances, a special performance for the President of United States and a Golden Boys PBS special have brought in a vast audience of fans,  and not only from the “ Bandstand” generation, but all generations.

 

 

In 1998, Fabian married model Andrea Patrick, a former Miss Pennsylvania-USA and Miss West Virginia, who is the owner/CEO of Patrick Talent Agency. He is also a proud father of a son, Christian Forte, and his wife, and their daughter, Fabian's granddaughter, Ava Josephine, and a daughter, Julie Forte. Fabian and Andrea are actively involved in the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Assocation and Fabian has helped raise money for veterans with his Celebrity Golf Tournament in North Carolina. Andrea and Fabian live on 20 acres in South-western Pennsylvania with their dog, Max, in a home that Andrea designed.

An overnight singing sensation, a film star with over 30 films to his credit, and the producer of his own concert series, Fabian continues to expand his ever-growing career. This pop music and motion picture icon, received one of show business' highest honours when he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 8, 2002. Fabian's 40+ years performing for his loyal fans at packed concerts, stadiums, casinos, festivals and theater productions garnered him the 2188th star and Fabian honoured his fans by dedicating his star to them on this memorable day.  (Info mainly edited from Wikipedia)

Fabian performs two songs on the Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show. March 07, 1959.