Sunday, February 6, 2011

Fabian's Feast


Image borrowed from Bing

Fabiano Anthony Forte (born February 6, 1943, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), known as Fabian, is an American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. Eleven of his songs reached the Billboard Hot 100 listing.

Fabian was contracted to 20th Century Fox beginning with Don Siegel's Hound-Dog Man. The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film featured a photo of Fabian's screen test where he appeared in the same outfit that Elvis Presley wore in Love Me Tender.[5] He appeared in more than 30 films, including Five Weeks in a Balloon, High Time, Ten Little Indians (1965), North to Alaska, The Longest Day and Ride the Wild Surf (1964) (with Tab Hunter) and Peter Brown. 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 made several films for American International Pictures, including portraying Pretty Boy Floyd in A Bullet for Pretty Boy (1970). He also played Josh Ashley in Little Laura and Big John (1973) for Crown International Pictures.

He was drafted but rejected for military service during the Vietnam War. According to USMC Lt Col Arthur Eppley, Fabian was declared 4F (unfit for service) after presenting a doctor's note stating that induction into the army could cause him to develop homosexual tendencies.

Forte never regained his teenage popularity, but has continued performing for more than forty years. Recently he has been appearing with Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell to perform concerts as The Golden Boys.

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 honors when he was honored 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 honored his fans by dedicating his star to them on this memorable day.


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