Frank D'Rone, born Frank Caldarone on April 26, 1932, in Brockton, Massachusetts, was an American jazz singer and guitarist. He began singing and playing guitar at the age of five and, despite formal classical guitar training, preferred self-learning. At the onset of his high school years, he moved to New York City, where he secured a position as a musician-singer at the Barbizon-Plaza Hotel. This led to his joining the Jerry Carleton Trio in 1950, marking his professional debut. His career evolved through various collaborations, including duets with pianist Mike Kalli and performances with Herbie Fields' jazz group. In 1954, he relocated to Chicago, where he performed at Mister Kelly's nightclub alongside Dick Marx and Johnny Frigo. This period saw him gain attention from notable jazz figures like Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole. He signed his first record deal with Mercury Records in 1959, releasing his debut album Frank D'Rone Sings. His appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 1960s and 1970s further boosted his visibility. Notable releases include "Strawberry Blonde (The Band Rocked On)", which gained popularity in the UK and live albums like In Person, recorded at San Francisco's Hungry I nightclub. He continued to perform in Chicago venues such as the Green Mill and Chambers Restaurant until his final album, Double Exposure, was released in 2012. Frank D'Rone passed away on October 3, 2013, in Wheaton, Illinois, at the age of 81.
