His professional career began at 16 yrs when he moved to Sydney, Australia to join a group. Later as a solo artist, he recorded a number of successful songs in NZ with My Elusive Dreams holding the No.1 spot on the charts for 3 weeks and in the top 20 for 2 months.
In 1970 Frankie moved to London and won Opportunity Knocks six times in a row. He sang at both The Palladium and Albert Hall and represented Great Britain in several song contests, winning the Silver Prize in the Second Tokyo Music Festival, the Bronze Medal in Caracas Venezuela, and the Gold Medal at the Golden Orpheus Song Festival in Bulgaria.
Frankie progressed to the world famous Sand’s Hotel in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand Hotel (the largest hotel at the time in the world) and toured with greats such as Olivia Newton John, Shirley Bassey, Sammy Davis Jnr, Milton Berle to name a few. He signed with CBS records in London and toured with Petula Clark & Cilla Black and later moved to Japan to appear with Shirley Bassey.
He spent the next 5 years in Honolulu Hawaii appearing in his own show at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. His film career also took off with Hawaii Five 0 and performances in Europe, mainland USA and Canada. He returned to NZ in 1982 where he operated one of NZ's major Nightclub Restaurants and utilised his talents singing; performing in a TV series; further trips to Japan, Australia & the USA , while helping to raise two young children.
In 1994, Frankie was invited to appear in Harry M. Miller’s New Zealand's touring theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar and invited to take the role in the ‘94-95’ tour of Australia. On his return to NZ he appeared in various TV and live performances and a tour with Sir Howard Morrison.
Appearances have included:
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NZ Idol judge
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Matrix 2 – Fox Studios Australia
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Coca Cola Christmas in the Park (1997,98/99/00/01/02/03/04/05/06/07/08)
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1998 Christmas Lotto Draw
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Hosting Miss New Zealand Shows
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MC - Governor-General's Waitangi Day Celebrations Govt House
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Hercules
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Swiss Family Robinson
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Lawless
Frankie was the event coordinator for the New Zealand Official Millennium Program and has managed and co-ordinated many large and small events such as Aotearoa National Maori Rugby League Tournament, Queenstown, Winter Festival (with Air New Zealand) and works with one of NZ's top event management companies.
He appeared as an actor in Matrix 2 at Fox Studios in Australia (released 2002). More recently he’s been a popular judge for the highly successful “NZ Idol” TV series and MC for NZ Netball televised finals and a "regular" at Xmas in the Park events.
In 2005 Frankie was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in the New Year's Honours List becoming a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He continues to be an in-demand performer and entertains both nationally and internationally.
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