Frank Floyd(II)
- Actor
- Composer
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Frank Floyd returned there to pursue his
musical career after completing a tour in the U.S. Air Force. Frank
appeared live, on numerous occasions, over WVON, a famous Chicago soul
radio station. He also appeared solo opposite The Impressions at the
Trianon Ballroom on Chicago's South Side, playing the guitar and
singing solo. There he met Pooky Hudson of the Spaniels and became fast
friends. Frank was often seen pitching songs at V.J. Records where he
associated with The Dells (Stay in My Corner), Al Smith (The Maestro),
Jimmy Reed of Blues fame, and Tyrone Davis (If I Could Turn Back The
Hands of Time). Frank sang solo gospel music on Sundays on WVON.
Shortly thereafter Frank joined the Constellations, a Chicago-based
vocal group that appeared at the world famous Club Harlem each summer
season in Atlantic City, New Jersey. There, Frank worked with other
world famous acts: Sammy Davis Jr., Dionne Warwick, Marvin Gaye, Louis
Armstrong, Redd Foxx, Slappy White, Leslie Uggams, Roy Hamilton, Jackie
Wilson, the Nicholas Brothers, Cab Calloway, Billy Eckstine, and Dimita
Jo. It was there at the Club Harlem where Frank talked with Dionne
Warwick about joining her world-touring entourage. After appearing in
San Juan, Puerto Rico (El San Juan Hotel) and Las Vegas, Nevada (The
Flamingo Hotel) with the Larry Steele Smart Affairs Revue, Frank and
the Constellations accompanied Dionne Warwick, opening her show, and
touring four years with her from New York City at the World Famous
Apollo Theater all across the country. From that moment on Frank has
never looked back. He has worked with: Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and
the Pips, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Ashford and Simpson, Jerry Butler,
Quincy Jones, Donald Fagen, Isaac Hayes, and the Four Tops to mention a
few. Frank is a member of the New York City stable of session singers.
One has heard it said that "no one stands alone", and in this case that
sentiment definitely rings true for while in New York City, Frank,
along with his brother, Babi Floyd, has blazed his trail in the Jingle
and Music Businesses only by the Grace of God, and with the help and
guidance of his tutors and mentors Bernard Drayton, producer; and
William Eaton, composer-arranger. In 1989 Frank was voted BACKGROUND
SINGER OF THE YEAR by NARAS (who also produce the Grammy awards) Frank
has been seen on Saturday Night Live backing up Blondie, Eddie Murphy's
spoof on Jesse Jackson (Hymie Town) also on David Letterman backing up
Tom Jones, Al Green, Robbie Robertson and others Frank co-wrote the
jingle "Have You Driven a Ford...Lately" for Ford Motor Company along
with many other successful jingle campaigns. Frank was on Broadway as
an original cast member in the seven Tony award winning musical called
THE WIZ, Charlie Smalls, composer; Ken Harper, Producer.