Frankie was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania September 18, 1940. Even before the age of 10, Frankie seized every opportunity to enter local amateur contests, winning one after another. On his own initiative, Frankie began taking lessons, and continued his musical studies long and hard through the years that followed. One of his instructors, a member of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, volunteered to teach the young trumpet virtuoso after hearing him play. Considered a child prodigy – Frankie made guest appearances as a trumpet player on The Perry Como and Jackie Gleeson Television Shows.