Michael Franks (musician)
Michael Franks | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 18, 1944 Southern California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, songwriter |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Known for | Collaborations with Peggy Lee, Dan Hicks, Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel, Brenda Russell, Claus Ogerman, Joe Sample, David Sanborn; songs recorded by numerous artists |
Michael Franks (born September 18, 1944) is an American vocalist and songwriter recognized for his work alongside artists such as Peggy Lee, Dan Hicks, Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel, Brenda Russell, Claus Ogerman, Joe Sample, and David Sanborn. Numerous performers, including Gordon Haskell, Shirley Bassey, The Carpenters, Kurt Elling, Diana Krall, Patti LaBelle, Lyle Lovett, The Manhattan Transfer, Leo Sidran, Veronica Nunn, Carmen McRae, Ringo Starr, and Natalie Cole, have recorded his songs.
Biography
Raised in southern California, Franks was initially inspired by swing legends like Peggy Lee and Nat King Cole. At age 14, he bought his first guitar and took only a few formal lessons. While attending high school in San Diego, he started performing folk-rock music. Later, as an English major at UCLA, he discovered influential jazz and bossa nova artists such as Dave Brubeck and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Though he did not pursue formal music studies at university, he completed a BA in comparative literature at UCLA in 1966, followed by an MA at the University of Oregon in 1968. Subsequently, he held a PhD assistantship at the University of Montreal before returning to UCLA to teach part-time.
Franks commenced his songwriting career with the antiwar musical Anthems in E-flat (1968) and composed scores for films including Cockfighter (1974) and Zandy's Bride (1974). He worked with blues artists Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, writing songs and touring alongside them. His debut album released in 1973—later reissued as Previously Unavailable—featured the modest hit "Can't Seem to Shake This Rock 'n' Roll."
In 1976, Franks launched The Art of Tea, marking the beginning of a long-standing relationship with Warner Bros. Records. This album included contributions from members of The Crusaders and featured the popular track "Popsicle Toes." His next release, Sleeping Gypsy (1977), which was partly recorded in Brazil, contained the song "The Lady Wants to Know." The 1978 album Burchfield Nines, reflecting his relocation to New York City, displayed a distinct East Coast influence. Over the years, Franks has produced more than fifteen albums.
Among his well-known songs are "When I Give My Love to You," "Monkey See, Monkey Do," "Lotus Blossom," "Tiger in the Rain," "Rainy Night in Tokyo," and "Tell Me All About It." His most commercially successful single was 1983's "When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)" from the album Passionfruit. Other radio favorites include "Your Secret's Safe With Me" from 1985's Skin Dive and "Island Life" from 1987's The Camera Never Lies.
Additionally, Franks collaborated with jazz pianist David Benoit on a rendition of "Christmas Time Is Here" for Benoit's 1996 release Remembering Christmas.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Label | US 200 | Aus (Kent Music Report) | US Jazz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Michael Franks | Brut Reissued in 1983 on DRG as Previously Unavailable |
- | - | - |
| 1976 | The Art of Tea | Reprise/Warner Bros. | 131 | – | – |
| 1977 | Sleeping Gypsy | Warner Bros. | 119 | – | – |
| 1978 | Burchfield Nines | Warner Bros. | 90 | – | – |
| 1979 | Tiger in the Rain | Warner Bros. | 68 | 65 | – |
| 1980 | One Bad Habit | Warner Bros. | 83 | 76 | – |
| 1982 | Objects of Desire | Warner Bros. | 45 | 95 | – |
| 1983 | Passionfruit | Warner Bros. | 141 | – | 4 |
| 1985 | Skin Dive | Warner Bros. | 137 | – | – |
| 1987 | The Camera Never Lies | Warner Bros. | 147 | – | 7 |
| 1990 | Blue Pacific | Reprise/Warner Bros. | 121 | – | – |
| 1993 | Dragonfly Summer | Warner Bros. | – | – | 19 |
| 1995 | Abandoned Garden | Warner Bros . |
Singles
1975 – Popsicle Toes (U.S. Pop Chart No. 43, U.S. Adult Contemporary No. 45) 1977 – The Lady Wants to Know 1978 – When the Cookie Jar Is Empty 1979 – When It's Over 1980 – On My Way Home to You 1980 – One Bad Habit 1980 – Baseball 1982 – Jealousy 1982 – Love Duet (featuring Renee Diggs) 1982 – Comin' Home to You 1983 – Can't Seem to Shake This Rock 'n Roll 1985 – Your Secret's Safe with Me (U.S. Adult Contemporary No. 4, Canada AC No. 9) 1985 – When I Give My Love to You (duet with Brenda Russell) 1985 – Queen of the Underground 1987 – Island Life 1987 – The Camera Never Lies 1987 – Doctor Sax / Face to Face 1990 – The Art of Love (U.S. R&B Chart No. 59) 1990 – Speak to Me (U.S. R&B Chart No. 73) 1991 – Practice Makes Perfect 1991 – Woman in the Waves 1992 – The Dream (collaboration with Yellowjackets) 1993 – Soulmate 1996 – Christmas Time Is Here (with David Benoit) 2003 – Christmas in Kyoto 2004 – Smash Up 1
Appears on
| Year | Album | Artist | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Live Wires | Yellowjackets | GRP/Verve/Universal |
| 2010 | The Art of Michael Franks | Veronica Nunn | Dead Horse Records |