Who Are Those Singers & Musicians? ~ Frankie Vaughan

 

Frankie Vaughan, CBE, DL was born Frank Ableson on February 3, 1928. He was an English singer and entertainer specializing in traditional pop music, who rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s with energetic performances and chart-topping singles such as "The Garden of Eden" (1957) and "Tower of Strength" (1961). Born in Liverpool to a Jewish family of modest means—his father an upholsterer and mother a seamstress—he began his career singing in synagogue choirs and local venues before achieving national fame through recordings with HMV, amassing 29 UK chart entries and selling millions of copies of hits like "Give Me the Moonlight, Give Me the Girl" and "Green Door." Vaughan also ventured into acting, appearing in films including “These Dangerous Years” (1957), filmed partly in Liverpool, and “Let's Make Love” (1960) alongside Marilyn Monroe. Beyond entertainment, he distinguished himself through philanthropy, supporting boys' clubs like the Lancaster Lads Club and notably intervening in youth gang conflicts, such as brokering a knife amnesty and peace agreement among rival factions in Glasgow's Easterhouse area in 1968, which facilitated the establishment of community youth projects. For these contributions to youth welfare, he received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1965 and was elevated to Commander (CBE) in 1997, serving as vice-president of the National Association of Clubs for Young People. Married to Stella Shock from 1950 until his death from heart failure on September 17, 1999, Vaughan left a legacy as a beloved figure whose rapport with working-class audiences stemmed from his own early hardships and unpretentious charisma

Frankie Vaughan died in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England on September 17, 1999 from heart failure at the age of 71.

VAUGHAN, Frankie (Frank Abelson) [2/3/1928, Liverpool, England, U.K. – 9/17/1999, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, U.K. (heart ailment)] – actor, dancer, singer, married to Stella Shock (1951-1999) father of record promoter David Vaughan [1961-     ], Susan Vaughan [1963-    ], Andrew Vaughan [1968-    ], awarded O.B.E. [1965], CBE [1997].

Ramsbottom Rides Again – 1956 [sings: “Ride, Ride, Ride Again”, “This is the Night”

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