the Noc-A-Bouts / Frankie and Johnny

Cleveland, late 1950s-1967

The core of this Cleveland club band was keyboard/accordion player Frank Albano and drummer John Fruscella. The band they formed was the Noc-A-Bouts. The band lineup, as from April 1958, included Sam D'Nardo on sax and Tom Kerny on guitar.

As the Noc-A-Bouts, they recorded a 45 for Cosmic that sold a decent number of copies. The hit side was "Jungle Safari" with some greasy sax and animal/Tarzan sounds by the band members, a really fun and classic sound from the early rock-n-roll scene. The credits are Albano, D'Nardo, and Finkel. We're not sure who Finkel was, possibly a band member who had left and/or replaced by Kerny.

The 45 was picked up for release by United Artists.

By 1962 Albano and Fruscella had paired down to a duo which became Frankie and Johnny. That pairing lasted until late 1966 or early 1967. They played a circuit of local clubs, usually residences for several weeks. They often included a 'special guest' such as a female singer to keep the show fresh.

Frankie and Johnny had one 45 to their credit, a 45 on Warwick, an instrumental across both sides titled "Deacon I" and "Deacon II"

After the end of Frankie and Johnny, Frank Albano formed a new band that became the Losers.

Discography
Jungle Safari / Session - Cosmic 706, United Artists 126, early 1958
Deacon "I" / Deacon "II" - Warwick 125/6, 1965