ArtistInfo

Frankie Jordan

p, *1941
Musician of Rock and Pop
A.k.a. Claude Benzaquen

Born July 19, 1941 in Oran, Algeria. His family moved to Casablanca, Morocco where he developed a passion for jazz and blues. In 1958, he sings and plays piano in the first part of Jacques Brel in Rabat, Morocco. In autumn 1960, while continuing his studies dentist, under the pseudonym Frankie Jordan he signed with Decca, whose artistic director is Daniel Filipacchi, assisted by the conductor Eddie Vartan. In January 1961, Frankie Jordan, influenced by Fats Domino, is one of the outsiders with their first single, « Tu Parles Trop », recorded December 5, 1960, despite the competition of Richard Anthony (2), Les Chaussettes Noires and Johnny Hallyday. February 24, 1961, Frankie makes a remarkable debut on stage with Johnny Hallyday and Les Chaussettes Noires at the first Rock'n'Roll Festival at the Palais des Sports in Paris, with Little Tony, Emile Ford and Bobby Rydell. A second single in March. In June, Decca offers a third EP's on texts by Georges Aber and Daniel Frank. A face presents an adaptation of « Mother in Law » by Ernie K-Doe under the title "Belle Maman". The other side is devoted to an original duo. Originally envisaged with the Englishwoman Gillian Hills, following the latter's contract with Barclay, it is ultimately Sylvie Vartan, sister of his bandleader Eddie Vartan, who is chosen. « Panne D'Essence » (Adaptation of « Out Of Gas ») proves to be one of the tubes of the summer 1961. In July 1962, he graduated as a dentist whose examination was held away from the stage and studio. During the summer of 1963, Frankie Jordan gave his last concert on the Côte d'Azur (France), before abandoning his singing career to devote himself to his profession as a dentist, while continuing to sing and play piano for his pleasure.

Genres

• Rock
• Pop
• R&B/Soul