Born the son of Julius and Flossie Franklin, "Pete" Franklin, as he was known, was exposed to music at an early age. His mother was a songwriter and composed several songs which were recorded by the legendary blues pianist, Leroy Carr.
He taught himself to play both the guitar and the piano as a young child and began to seriously pursue a music career after a brief stint in the U.S. Army during the late 1940's. After his discharge, Franklin settled in San Francisco and was signed to Victor Records; however, his stay in the city was brief because he returned to his native Indianapolis by the early 1950's.
Upon his return to Indianapolis, Franklin worked mainly outside of music, but he continued playing part time in local venues. He soon teamed up with fellow bluesman, John Brim, and made several recordings for the JOB Record label in Chicago, Illinois.
His career experienced a surge during the early 1970's, and he was a frequent performer at blues and jazz festivals across the United States. Franklin's renewed career was brief due to his untimely death from a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 47.
He taught himself to play both the guitar and the piano as a young child and began to seriously pursue a music career after a brief stint in the U.S. Army during the late 1940's. After his discharge, Franklin settled in San Francisco and was signed to Victor Records; however, his stay in the city was brief because he returned to his native Indianapolis by the early 1950's.
Upon his return to Indianapolis, Franklin worked mainly outside of music, but he continued playing part time in local venues. He soon teamed up with fellow bluesman, John Brim, and made several recordings for the JOB Record label in Chicago, Illinois.
His career experienced a surge during the early 1970's, and he was a frequent performer at blues and jazz festivals across the United States. Franklin's renewed career was brief due to his untimely death from a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 47.
Born the son of Julius and Flossie Franklin, "Pete" Franklin, as he was known, was exposed to music at an early age. His mother was a songwriter and composed several songs which were recorded by the legendary blues pianist, Leroy Carr.
He taught himself to play both the guitar and the piano as a young child and began to seriously pursue a music career after a brief stint in the U.S. Army during the late 1940's. After his discharge, Franklin settled in San Francisco and was signed to Victor Records; however, his stay in the city was brief because he returned to his native Indianapolis by the early 1950's.
Upon his return to Indianapolis, Franklin worked mainly outside of music, but he continued playing part time in local venues. He soon teamed up with fellow bluesman, John Brim, and made several recordings for the JOB Record label in Chicago, Illinois.
His career experienced a surge during the early 1970's, and he was a frequent performer at blues and jazz festivals across the United States. Franklin's renewed career was brief due to his untimely death from a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 47.
He taught himself to play both the guitar and the piano as a young child and began to seriously pursue a music career after a brief stint in the U.S. Army during the late 1940's. After his discharge, Franklin settled in San Francisco and was signed to Victor Records; however, his stay in the city was brief because he returned to his native Indianapolis by the early 1950's.
Upon his return to Indianapolis, Franklin worked mainly outside of music, but he continued playing part time in local venues. He soon teamed up with fellow bluesman, John Brim, and made several recordings for the JOB Record label in Chicago, Illinois.
His career experienced a surge during the early 1970's, and he was a frequent performer at blues and jazz festivals across the United States. Franklin's renewed career was brief due to his untimely death from a heart attack in 1975 at the age of 47.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
