Sergio Franchi

Born in Cogorno, Liguria to a Neapolitan father and a Genoese mother, Franchi made his singing debut at age 10 as a hunchback in a school play. He sang with jazz groups in Italy, but immigrated to South Africa in 1947, after he completed his compulsory military service. He worked as a draftsman and designed commercial interiors working for his father's furniture business. Within a few years, his amateur singing led to leading roles in operetta and opera. Having experienced local fame, Franchi was encouraged to return to Italy and pursue an operatic career. Fate intervened as opportunities opened instead in popular music and television. Discovered on a BBC TV show, he accepted an RCA recording contract and a Sol Hurok 1962-63 concert tour. Sergio Franchi quickly rose to multi-media stardom in America, and became an American citizen in 1972.