Biography
Francis Guzzo, 4 August 1939, Gretna, Louisiana, USA. A rocker from a suburb of New Orleans, Frankie Ford is second cousin to that other New Orleans legend Dr. John. His first major appearance was on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour Talent Show, where he sang with Carmen Miranda and Sophie Tucker. After winning a scholarship to South Eastern College, Hammond, he started his first band with school friends. By 1958 he was singing with the Syncopators, when he was asked to audition for Ace Records. Subsequently, he released his first single, ‘Cheatin’ Woman’, as Frankie Ford. Fellow musician Huey ‘Piano’ Smith (b. 26 January 1934, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA) had previously recorded with his group the Clowns a self-penned song called ‘Sea Cruise’, but Ace persuaded him to let Ford record a new vocal over Bobby Marcham’s original. They also added a few extra effects such as paddle-steamer whistle blows, which altered the song enough...
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