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Though he has spent most of his existence outside of its environs, Avalon has become synonymous with South Philly because of his upbeat personality and boundless ambition. Born Francis Avallone, the 73-year-old singer, who resided on the 1900 block of South Hemberger Street in West Passyunk and attended South Philadelphia High School, came to fame in the 1950s, with “Venus” and “Why” snaring the top spot on Billboard Magazine’s Hot 100 chart in ’59. He added acting to his profile the next decade, turning in memorable roles with the recently deceased Annette Funicello in a series of beach movies.
The owner of six top-10 hits then appealed to two more generations of music lovers through his role as The Teen Angel in ’78’s musical film “Grease” and his April 2009 appearance on “American Idol.” Avalon continues to croon with fellow South Philly natives Fabian and Bobby Rydell as The Golden Boys and has begun to back no-texting-while-driving campaigns and autism awareness by hawking Avallone Tomatoes, his sister Theresa Belfiore’s homage to their mother Mary’s cooking. He also celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with Kathryn Diebel Jan. 19.
Contact Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com or ext. 121.
The South Philadelphia Walk of Fame 2013 inductees
/ Marian Anderson / Paul Arizin / Frankie Avalon / Joey Bishop / John Chaney /
/ James Darren / Angelo Dundee / Fabian / Larry Fine / Eddie Fisher /
/ Kenny Gamble / Frank Gasparro / Joey Giardello / Stephen Girard / Sherman Hemsley /
/ Irvin Kershner / Jack Klugman / Eddie Lang / Mario Lanza / Rob McElhenney /
/ Joe Medeiros / Earl "The Pearl" Monroe / Nathan Morris / Michelle Nader / Gene Perret /
/ Frank Rizzo / Bobby Rydell / Lisa Scottoline / Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter / Anna Verna /
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