Composer and Conductor
Frank S. Perkins was an American song composer and conductor best known for his 1934 hit song "Stars Fell On Alabama" (with lyrics by Mitchell Parish), and for his band classic, "Fandango."
He was born April 21, 1908 in Salem, Massachusetts to parents Frank Sutherland Perkins, Sr. (1872-1921) and Ethel Bradlee Manchester Perkins Plant (1874-1941). As a young man he earned his Ph.D in economics from Brown University in Providence, RI. He also studied with a noted composer, was an accomplished pianist, and could play organ, trombone, saxophone, and all the percussion instruments.
After Graduation in 1929, he wrote songs for his own dance band, gaining great fame in 1934 with "Stars Fell on Alabama." In 1938 he began a long relationship of working with Warner Brothers Pictures as a composer and conductor. Some of his projects included "Gypsy" (1962 with Natalie Wood), the spring break film "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963 with Troy Donahue), "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (1964 with Don Knotts), and the "Hawaiian Eye" TV series (1959-1963).
Trivia
The state of Alabama issued license plates featuring his "Stars Fell On Alabama" from January 2002 to January 2009.
Frank S. Perkins was an American song composer and conductor best known for his 1934 hit song "Stars Fell On Alabama" (with lyrics by Mitchell Parish), and for his band classic, "Fandango."
He was born April 21, 1908 in Salem, Massachusetts to parents Frank Sutherland Perkins, Sr. (1872-1921) and Ethel Bradlee Manchester Perkins Plant (1874-1941). As a young man he earned his Ph.D in economics from Brown University in Providence, RI. He also studied with a noted composer, was an accomplished pianist, and could play organ, trombone, saxophone, and all the percussion instruments.
After Graduation in 1929, he wrote songs for his own dance band, gaining great fame in 1934 with "Stars Fell on Alabama." In 1938 he began a long relationship of working with Warner Brothers Pictures as a composer and conductor. Some of his projects included "Gypsy" (1962 with Natalie Wood), the spring break film "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963 with Troy Donahue), "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (1964 with Don Knotts), and the "Hawaiian Eye" TV series (1959-1963).
Trivia
The state of Alabama issued license plates featuring his "Stars Fell On Alabama" from January 2002 to January 2009.
Composer and Conductor
Frank S. Perkins was an American song composer and conductor best known for his 1934 hit song "Stars Fell On Alabama" (with lyrics by Mitchell Parish), and for his band classic, "Fandango."
He was born April 21, 1908 in Salem, Massachusetts to parents Frank Sutherland Perkins, Sr. (1872-1921) and Ethel Bradlee Manchester Perkins Plant (1874-1941). As a young man he earned his Ph.D in economics from Brown University in Providence, RI. He also studied with a noted composer, was an accomplished pianist, and could play organ, trombone, saxophone, and all the percussion instruments.
After Graduation in 1929, he wrote songs for his own dance band, gaining great fame in 1934 with "Stars Fell on Alabama." In 1938 he began a long relationship of working with Warner Brothers Pictures as a composer and conductor. Some of his projects included "Gypsy" (1962 with Natalie Wood), the spring break film "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963 with Troy Donahue), "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (1964 with Don Knotts), and the "Hawaiian Eye" TV series (1959-1963).
Trivia
The state of Alabama issued license plates featuring his "Stars Fell On Alabama" from January 2002 to January 2009.
Frank S. Perkins was an American song composer and conductor best known for his 1934 hit song "Stars Fell On Alabama" (with lyrics by Mitchell Parish), and for his band classic, "Fandango."
He was born April 21, 1908 in Salem, Massachusetts to parents Frank Sutherland Perkins, Sr. (1872-1921) and Ethel Bradlee Manchester Perkins Plant (1874-1941). As a young man he earned his Ph.D in economics from Brown University in Providence, RI. He also studied with a noted composer, was an accomplished pianist, and could play organ, trombone, saxophone, and all the percussion instruments.
After Graduation in 1929, he wrote songs for his own dance band, gaining great fame in 1934 with "Stars Fell on Alabama." In 1938 he began a long relationship of working with Warner Brothers Pictures as a composer and conductor. Some of his projects included "Gypsy" (1962 with Natalie Wood), the spring break film "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963 with Troy Donahue), "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (1964 with Don Knotts), and the "Hawaiian Eye" TV series (1959-1963).
Trivia
The state of Alabama issued license plates featuring his "Stars Fell On Alabama" from January 2002 to January 2009.
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