Monday, May. 21, 2007
©The Virginian-Pilot

Frank J. Guida, world-renowned music composer, producer, innovator, and father of the celebrated "Norfolk Sound," passed away on May 19, 2007. Known by many as "Frankie," he was born in Palermo, Sicily on May 26, 1922, and came to New York City with his family as a young child. In 1942, he married the beautiful and talented Carmela "Millie" Addesso. While serving in the U.S. Army in Trinidad during World War II, he discovered a deep affection for the island music. After the war, he pursued his destiny in the music world first as a vocalist and, after moving to Norfolk in 1953, as the owner and manager of two famed record retail stores: Frankie’s Birdland on Church Street and, later, Frankie’s Got It on Granby Street. Under his management, both stores defined the "gold standard" for record retailing throughout the South. His signature intonation of the slogan, "Frankie’s Got It, Man," on radio commercials became a local media sensation. Frank’s greatest success, however, came on the creative side of the music industry. Starting in the late 1950s, he burst upon the national stage as an independent producer and composer of ground-breaking popular recordings that spanned and combined the musical genres of calypso, classical, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, gospel and soul. Frank wrote, co-wrote, produced and published many top national and international hits, including "High School USA," "New Orleans," "Quarter To Three," "Dear Lady Twist," "Twist Twist Senora," "School Is Out," and "If You Wanna Be Happy." His records have sold millions throughout the world and received music industry awards too numerous to mention. "Quarter To Three" is listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll." The original sound concepts Frank created in these raucous and exciting recordings came to be known as the "Norfolk Sound" that inspired a generation of artists and composers, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and a host of others. Otis Redding once introduced Frank at a national music industry gathering as "a man who needs no introduction." His award-winning works have frequently found a place in television, cinema and stage productions. In 2003, Frank was named as a "Legend of Music/Walk of Fame" honoree by the mayor and council of the City of Norfolk. Frank’s lifetime achievements were not limited to music. He was an accomplished oil painter and authored a book adapting the tale of Romeo and Juliet for children (and gave it a happy ending). In addition, he was a leader in promoting cultural and business relations between the United States and his native Italy, where Frank and Millie often traveled. He was a charter council member of the National Italian American Foundation and among his many activities, vigorously defended Italian-Americans against negative stereotypes in the media. For his tireless and noble work in fostering ties between the United States and Italy, the Italian government formally conferred upon him the title of "Cavalier of the Order of the Italian Republic." Like his hero, Leonardo da Vinci, Frank was truly a "Renaissance Man." He is survived by his wife, Millie; his daughters, Anne Kent and her husband Kevin and Lydia McHenry and her husband Greg, all of Virginia Beach; his son, Joe Guida and his wife Karen of Dallas; his sister, Mathilda Guida and her husband Frank of Virginia Beach; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; his longtime cherished friend, Rosetta Burns and family members, friends and fans around the world. A memorial Mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, by Father Mario Fulgenzi, O.S.B. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be made to the family at http://www.hdoliver.com.

Published in the Virginian Pilot on 05/21/2007.