Reaching for a Star: A Memoir of My Life, My Music, and My Friendship with Famed Singer Frankie Laine

By Craig Cronbaugh

Whenever I mention my Frankie Laine association to someone for the first time, two questions always come up: “Why are you interested in Frankie Laine and his music?” and “How did you meet Frankie?”

I suppose the first question relates to my age. I was born a decade after Frankie had recorded “That’s My Desire” in 1946. That record became Frankie’s first to sell a million copies in 1947. Furthermore, Frankie was already internationally famous by 1954, the year my parents were married.

Why did I become interested in Frankie Laine and his music? I can sum it up in one word—emotion. Frankie, now retired, is an expressive person. As a true “song stylist,” Frankie shaped and phrased the words in a melody, thus creating a style that was all his own. Indeed, all Frankie Laine fans treasure Frankie’s great ability as a vocalist. However, as far as I am concerned, the allure of Frankie Laine goes beyond his musical voice. I think Frankie’s immense emotion and profound appreciation for what he sang, regardless of whether it was a jazzy, up-tempo song or a slow ballad (or any other type of song), were what always captivated me.

This book answers the second question detailing the story associated with the first time I met Frankie Laine. Nonetheless, when I met Frankie in 1985, our time together was notable in an unexpected way. I experienced another aspect of Frankie Laine, which had absolutely nothing to do with music—his kindness. Although I had read stories about what a nice person Frankie always was, I witnessed, firsthand, how much he truly cherishes his fans.

Primarily, I had two goals in writing this book. First, I needed to assemble all my wonderful Frankie Laine adventures and put them down on paper in an organized fashion before my memories of the events faded. Therefore, I searched through numerous videotapes, audiotapes, newspaper articles, letters, photographs, and e-mail notes within my prized Laine library. Of course, I also relied on my personal recollections. Second, I aspired to relate to readers how an ordinary person (me), by sheer determination and action, had succeeded in his initial quest—I did meet Frankie Laine. Additionally, I developed a friendship with this amazing, famous singer.

Each person has a special dream. Some dreams do come true.

—Craig Cronbaugh, 2005

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 12, 2005
• ISBN: 9781468566536

Craig Cronbaugh

CRAIG CRONBAUGH, Director of the Legislative Information Office with the Legislative Services Agency at the Iowa State Capitol, holds an associate’s degree in Communications Media from Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) in Communication Broadcast/Broadcast Journalism, with a minor in political science, from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. He is a former professional musician (drummer) and newspaper editor, writer, and photographer. As famed singer Frankie Laine’s special friend and a collector of Laine’s recordings and career memorabilia, Craig has written articles; has written, produced, directed, and hosted a distinctive radio program; and has appeared on Iowa statewide television regarding his Frankie Laine avocation. Craig has been highlighted briefly and has been given a research screen credit in the 2003 internationally distributed documentary Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer. In addition to having many newspaper articles published, he has a short story included in an edition of the literary publication Inner Weather, published by the University of Northern Iowa. Craig lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife, Marlene.

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Copyright © 2005 by Craig Cronbaugh

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by authorHouse: 10.10.2022

This original edition was published by authorHouse: 12.06.2018

This book was published initially in 2005.

ISBN-10: 1-4208-0391-3 (sc)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4208-0391-4 (sc)

ISBN-10: 1-4208-0390-5 (hc)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4208-0390-7 (hc)

ISBN-10: 1-4685-6653-9 (e)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4685-6653-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2004098045

Print information available on the last page.

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1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

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Phone: [phone]

Front photographs

Left: Craig Cronbaugh and Frankie Laine at Frankie’s home—San Diego (July 17, 2000)

Right: Frankie Laine—a new star (circa 1950)

Cover and jacket design by Craig Cronbaugh

Front and back color photographs by Marlene Cronbaugh

The pictures on the inside pages are from the author’s private collection.

All reproduced correspondence and quoted transcripts from actual audio and video

interviews within this book may contain edited portions for reading continuity.

To Marlene, my beautiful wife . . .

Thanks for loving me and believing in me.

SPECIAL THANKS

Frankie Laine, for your friendship

Mary-Jo Coombs, Tony Cooper, and Jimmy Marino, for your assistance

Jim and Rosemarie Skaine, for believing in my book project

Jenn Handy and Greg Eckart, for your professionalism

Sue Fetters and Rosemary Hutchinson, for being my copyeditors

Latisha Purk, for being a loving, beautiful daughter

Payton Kaye Brown and Keon Michael Purk, for being my inspiration

IN REMEMBRANCE

My beloved mom, Helen Cronbaugh

My brother, Scott Cronbaugh

My friends

Danny Aarhus, Rick Boddicker, and Helen Snow

Each star individually presented the following quotes

to Craig Cronbaugh exclusively for this book.

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I’ve enjoyed listening to Frankie Laine sing throughout the years. His good, strong voice could sing any type of song, regardless of whether it was a gentle, heartfelt ballad, a soulful blues number, or an up-tempo, rousing one. No matter what he sang, it was with gusto! He always had a great voice, one that has endured over the years.

—TERESA BREWER, famed singer, recording artist

"Frankie is ‘Mr. Rhythm.’ It was a joy singing with him."

—CONNIE HAINES, famed singer, recording artist, featured on

The Frankie Laine Show on television

Frankie Laine is an original. When you hear a Frankie Laine recording, it can only be him. No one else has that sound! I had the pleasure of performing with him at the San Remo Song Festival in Italy and watched the master at work. He brought the audience to their feet with his Italian song the Laine way! Very few careers will encompass the breadth of Frankie Laine! Bravo!

—GENE PITNEY, famed singer, recording artist, songwriter

It was always a pleasure to work with Frankie. Besides being a very nice gentleman, he was always well prepared and ready to go to work.

—JO STAFFORD, famed singer, recording artist, recorded several duets with

Frankie Laine

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE: Frankie Laine

Fame

Fans

INTRODUCTION: Heroes

AUTHOR’S NOTE

CHAPTER ONE: San Diego

First Time Together—Part I

The Journey

First Time Together—Part II

CHAPTER TWO: Beginnings

CHAPTER THREE: A Dream Come True

First Time Together—Part III

CHAPTER FOUR: We’ll Be Together Again

CHAPTER FIVE: My Friend Helen

CHAPTER SIX: A New Direction

CHAPTER SEVEN: Birthday Bash

CHAPTER EIGHT: Frankie’s People

CHAPTER NINE: Projects

CHAPTER TEN: Up Among the Stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PROLOGUE

Frankie Laine

W orld-famous singer Frankie Laine received his first gold record, That’s My Desire, in 1947. Frankie’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Since the beginning of his fame, Frankie has garnered over twenty gold records, including such unforgettable musical gems as The Cry of the Wild Goose, I Believe, Jezebel, Mule Train, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Shine, and That Lucky Old Sun. Out of approximately seventy of Frankie’s total charted hits in the United States, four were number one.

Shortly after Frankie’s first hit recording, he became one of the most popular and sought after singers of the day. The Laine talent was in constant demand in nightclubs, on radio, in motion pictures, and on television. In addition to being supremely successful in the United States, Frankie also quickly rose to international stardom. Frankie’s 1953 recording of I Believe topped the British music charts and stayed at number one for eighteen weeks, an unbeaten performance that even the Beatles never matched. Frankie charted approximately thirty hits in the United Kingdom—four were number one. One of the highlights in Frankie’s career happened in 1954 when Queen Elizabeth II selected him for a Royal Command Performance in England.

During 1954 and 1955, Frankie hosted and sang on his own television musical variety show, The Frankie Laine Show, with singer Connie Haines. Additionally, during the summers of 1955 and 1956, Frankie hosted and sang on the musical variety television show for CBS called Frankie Laine Time. Subsequently, one of stardom’s highest honors was bestowed upon Frankie, not once, but twice, when his talent was celebrated with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one for recording and the other for television.

Frankie, also a prolific songwriter, has collaborated with such famed tunesmiths as Hoagy Carmichael, Matt Dennis, Duke Ellington, Al Lerner, and Mel Tormé. Frankie’s composition of We’ll Be Together Again, written with his original accompanist, Carl Fischer, became a song classic, with renditions recorded by over a hundred artists throughout the years.

Befitting his songwriting talent, Frankie received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame awards ceremony in New York City in 1996.

During his fabulous singing career, Frankie held contracts with four of the music industry’s top recording companies: Mercury, Columbia, Capitol, and ABC. Additionally, Frankie’s recordings are on many independent record labels, including his own Score Records.

Always willing to try new types and genres of music, Frankie, beginning with his recordings of That Lucky Old Sun and Mule Train in 1949, became a very popular singer of cowboy songs. Because of his unique ability, style, and ensuing popular recognition within this musical genre, Frankie sang the title tracks for a dramatic cinematic offering and several Western motion pictures during the 1950s. These movies are Blowing Wild, Man Without a Star, Strange Lady in Town, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, 3:10 to Yuma, and Bullwhip. Many years later, Mel Brooks asked Frankie to sing the title track to the 1974 movie Blazing Saddles, which became a comedy classic.

Frankie was featured in front of the camera in seven motion picture musicals from 1949 to 1956. Also during that period, Frankie recorded duets with such popular songsters as Jimmy Boyd, Doris Day, the Four Lads, Patti Page, Johnnie Ray, and Jo Stafford.

Whenever Frankie describes a Frankie Laine record, he modestly refers to it as our record, encompassing writers, musicians, arrangers, conductors, technicians, and anyone else involved in the creation of each round, grooved piece of Laine musical history.

The television Western series Rawhide made its debut in 1959. Frankie sang the title theme. Originally, Frankie’s rendition had been released on a record, becoming a hit. Furthermore, the song was credited with contributing to the popularity of the television show, which aired for many years. The series firmly established Clint Eastwood, who played the character Rowdy Yates, as a star. The Rawhide theme, sung by Frankie Laine, is now one of the most popular theme songs in the history of television.

Amazingly, Frankie also sang the title themes to two more television shows during the 1960s. The first of those was Gunslinger, the 1961 CBS Television series starring Tony Young and Preston Foster. The second show was Rango, the 1967 Spelling-Thomas ABC Television comedy series starring Tim Conway. Years later, Frankie sang the title theme featured during the first season of The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, the 1979-81 NBC Television series comedy starring Claude Akins.

In 1998, Frankie received the Golden Boot Award for his significant contribution in film and television Westerns. In 2001, the California Chapter of the Western Music Association honored Frankie with induction into the Western Music Hall of Fame.

In addition to numerous television musical guest appearances, Frankie also displayed his acting talents, performing roles on Perry Mason and The Danny Thomas Show (Make Room for Daddy) in the late 1950s and Rawhide, Bachelor Father, and Burke’s Law in the early 1960s. His dramatic acting performances on Perry Mason and Rawhide are astounding.

More than any other singer, Frankie always possessed the unique ability to sing several different music genres and was able to make each song believable. Musically, he inspired listeners to enjoy everything from jazz to cowboy tunes, gritty songs of toil, the blues, ballads, and almost all other types of musical compositions. Other great popular singers of Frankie’s generation seemed to focus on one style. Many lacked the adaptability or range needed to make style transitions believable.

While he continued with his aspirations, Frankie combined musical genres in 1987 with the release of a compact disc of Western musical Americana, which he recorded with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. That CD went on to achieve a good standing on the classical music chart in Billboard.

Toward the end of the twentieth century, Frankie continued to receive accolades from both professional and lay organizations for his contributions to the entertainment industry and for his work with humanitarian causes, which were several, and included the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and the Old Shoes campaign—Shoes for the Homeless. In the late 1990s, Frankie reached out to a new generation by sharing the greatest joy of his life—his love for music. Frankie launched a project with the Salvation Army in his hometown of San Diego, to collect musical instruments for underprivileged children.

Reader’s Digest Music released a three-CD set of popular Frankie Laine songs in 1997. Additionally, Frankie introduced a newly recorded popular music CD, Wheels of a Dream, in 1998, and he was the first artist to record the title song from the Broadway musical Ragtime. Also in 1998, Frankie unveiled a new audio cassette of songs named It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over. That album was designed for people who have reached the age of retirement. At the beginning of the new century, Bear Family Records produced three multi-CD box sets containing all Frankie’s recordings for Mercury Records and Columbia Records. Not to be outdone, Frankie’s label, Score Records, continually turns out CD song compilations, including both old and contemporary recordings.

Frankie contributed much to the music of the twentieth century. Astonishingly, Frankie Laine’s total worldwide record sales number approximately two hundred fifty million. Consequently, in 2000, the Women’s International Center presented Frankie with the Living Legend Award.

A documentary relating to Frankie’s life and career has been released recently on both VHS and DVD formats by JFM International Productions. The documentary, Frankie Laine: An American Dreamer, has received worldwide acclaim. The documentary includes a series of celebrity interview segments in which stars articulate how very much they admire Frankie and his artistry.

No one truly loves his many fans as much as Frankie does. His following spans the world. Many agree that Frankie is one of the kindest, most generous human beings in show business. Tirelessly, he will sign autographs, pose for photographs, and chat with anyone seeking his attention. He realizes, because of his years of struggling to get to the top, that the audiences deserve the credit for his successful career.

Even though oftentimes forgotten since his heyday, which encompassed the late 1940s and all through the 1950s—and lacking the lingering acclaim of Como, Crosby, Presley, or Sinatra—people still admire Frankie’s celebrity. Frankie, now retired, continues to enjoy the respect of his peers, praise from the media, and the sincere love of his fans. Strangely, most people realize who Frankie Laine is upon hearing his name mentioned alongside the songs Mule Train and Rawhide. The same is true regarding the movie Blazing Saddles.

Frankie featured a unique sound and style. Until Frankie came along, most male vocalists were crooners who placed a stranglehold on the upright microphone stand. Frankie belted out the rhythm songs he sang. Frankie, who became known about the time television was getting started, also realized that a singer must have a distinctive style of delivery. Because of his unique skills, Frankie has influenced countless singers, including Tony Bennett, Johnnie Ray, and even Elvis.

* * *

Frankie Laine never gave up endeavoring to make a singing career his goal. His was a long, difficult road. Frankie’s life is a true story of the American Dream. It’s a tale of a young man who struggled to achieve his dream. That was a dream to make music, to sing songs, and to become successful. During the 1930s, Frankie survived his few exhausting years as a marathon dancer. He later managed to find occasional singing jobs that were both short-lived and short on pay.

Early on in his story, while attempting to find success in New York City, young Frankie bounded from club to club in his attempts to sing onstage with the bands. Several times, he had little or nothing to eat, but he pressed onward. He also had no living quarters and sneaked into hotels to sleep on the floors. Ultimately, owners of the establishments threw Frankie out into the street. At one point, when he was down to four cents in his pocket, Frankie’s bed became a wooden park bench in Central Park. He used the four remaining pennies to buy four tiny Baby Ruth candy bars, rationing himself to one per day. He survived. He had a dream. Frankie somehow realized that achieving his dream was just a matter of time, but there were still to be many other struggles and disappointments over the years before his star began to shine.

Everyone could learn a valuable lesson from Frankie’s persistence and his ability to keep plugging along, even when the odds seemed against him. Despite hardship, Frankie remained optimistic. To this day, he retains a personable and unassuming quality.

Frankie’s tale is about struggle in the face of adversity, a battle he eventually won. Through his perseverance, he became a seasoned human being. He knows what it’s like to be at life’s lowest ebb. He knows the heartbreak of opportunities that don’t pan out, loves that don’t last, and the tribulations that take place in an imperfect world.

Through it all, Frankie acquired a humbleness that few other stars of his caliber can boast. Indeed, a story about Frankie Laine is free of scandal. Instead, his life is chock-full of tales that document his survival while attempting to make it in an industry that literally can destroy a person. Fortunately, Frankie ultimately made it to success. Many others had tried and failed.

The dues Frankie paid in order to achieve his level of stardom, undoubtedly molded his ability to relate to an audience. His years of struggle before fame have cultivated his soul. In addition, they also have honed a remarkable voice.

No wonder Frankie sang with such emotion. No wonder he related so well to his listeners. No wonder Frankie declared with complete sincerity the words of the title of a song he sang in his late eighties—I Am a Singer.

Undeniably, Frankie Laine’s life is the personification of the American Dream.

* * *

I am a singer. Whenever Frankie Laine sang those four words, nothing else was closer to the truth. He is a singer. But there is more to Frankie Laine than merely being a singer. He’s also a communicator. When Frankie is heard singing on a recording, his voice connects with his listeners. He always had the uncanny ability to convey the lyrics of a song with such feeling and emotion that the listener sensed his message. Through Frankie’s unique interpretation of a song, the listener becomes aware of the exact feelings the lyricist had intended.

The late writer Irving Stone once wrote (in part) about Frankie Laine’s style:

Frankie knows precisely what it is he wants to say through a song. He does not mouth words or belt out phrases that he does not understand. What he sings, he feels; that is why he is able to make the listener feel the same emotion.

Because of Frankie’s special ability to communicate on a record, the listener feels each song right along with him. Listeners sense loneliness when they hear him sing the blues, feel romantic while enjoying his love ballads, and experience the excitement while hearing him sing an upbeat song. Indeed, listeners may undergo a whole cluster of feelings while feasting their ears on the smorgasbord of musical genres that Frankie Laine has recorded over the years. According to many music lovers everywhere, Frankie sang jazz, popular music, ballads, inspirational songs, spirituals, and cowboy songs better than any singer of his generation did.

With his fabulous singing voice, Frankie shared his talent with each listener. Perhaps that’s why he’s so special, so endearing. Consequently, it’s not surprising that Frankie Laine continues to exemplify the status of music legend among his fans and music lovers all over the world.

INTRODUCTION

Heroes

H ere are a few words about heroes. Everyone needs at least one. Heroes come in all genders, shapes, sizes, and colors. They don’t have prerequisites. They could be paupers or kings, common or majestic, working-class family members or celebrities, dead or alive. We all need them. Heroes inspire us and make us feel good that we’re living and part of this planet. Heroes may cause us to feel philosophical—to look at the world in a different way—a special way. Think of heroes as the truest of admired souls. We may choose to emulate our heroes. There’s nothing wrong with pretending to be similar to the one(s) admired. Living vicariously through our heroes may very well help us in times of fear, anger, or sorrow.

I have many heroes. It’s my hope that everyone will supply themselves with one or more heroes. Some of my heroes are friends. Quite a few are celebrities. Frankie Laine and Jerry Lewis are two of my celebrity heroes. A few of the celebrities included on my list are no longer living: George Burns, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Frederick Faust, Billie Holiday, Gene Krupa, John Lennon, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, and John Steinbeck. They all now belong to the ages. My heroes are important to me. These individuals are an influential part of who I am.

I want to dedicate the following words to all heroes still among us: I wish you the best. You’re special! May you always be kind to those who respect you and love your work. May you always treasure anyone looking to you as mentors. And may you always realize your lives have been blessed because—at the very least—someone out there looks up to you.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

I n 1997, while I was a newspaper writer and editor, I wrote an abridged version of an earlier article that detailed my first visit to meet singer Frankie Laine.

I composed the original story in 1995, shortly after I’d graduated from college and came to work for the publishing corporation that owned the newspaper I wrote for and edited. A magazine designed for senior citizens published the story. The article filled four tabloid-size pages. Therefore, I thought it best to condense it for the newspaper article. Consequently, I received praise from many readers, including Frankie, who very much enjoyed both the long and shortened versions.

Besides the messages regarding the enjoyment of the newspaper article, I received a letter from a person who was of the opinion I’d written and published my story for selfish promotion. This person obviously hadn’t been considerate enough to sign the letter or to post a return address. Among other things, the letter berated my being in three of the article’s photographs (two with Frankie Laine). In short, this person’s assessment was that I had written the story for my own glory.

Without a doubt, I feel people are entitled to their opinions. However, because the letter was unsigned and mailed with no return address, I felt that my professionalism was under attack by an unknown entity. The letter