Michael Franks Popular Books
Michael Franks Biography & Facts
Michael Franks (born September 18, 1944) is an American singer and songwriter, considered a leader of the quiet storm movement. He has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel, Brenda Russell, Claus Ogerman, Joe Sample, and David Sanborn. His songs have been recorded by 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. Biography Franks grew up in southern California with his father Thurman, his mother Vera, and two younger sisters. Although no one in his family was a musician, his parents loved swing music, and his early influences included Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Johnny Mercer. At age 14 Franks bought his first guitar, a Japanese Marco Polo for $29.95 with six private lessons included; those lessons were the only music education that he received. At University High in San Diego, Franks discovered the poetry of Theodore Roethke with his off-rhymes and hidden meter. In high school, he began singing folk-rock, accompanying himself on guitar. Studying English at UCLA, Michael discovered Dave Brubeck, Patti Page, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Miles Davis. He never studied music in college or later, but earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in comparative literature in 1966 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in 1968. He had a teaching assistantship in a Ph.D. program in American literature at the University of Montreal before returning to teach part-time at UCLA. During this time Franks started writing songs, starting with the antiwar musical Anthems in E-flat (1968) starring Mark Hamill. He also composed music for the films Cockfighter (1974), starring Warren Oates, and Zandy's Bride (1974), starring Liv Ullmann and Gene Hackman. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee recorded three of his songs, including "White Boy Lost in the Blues" on their album Sonny & Brownie. Franks played guitar, banjo and mandolin on the album and joined them in touring. In 1973, he recorded an eponymous album, later reissued as Previously Unavailable, which included the minor hit "Can't Seem to Shake This Rock 'n Roll." In 1976 Franks released his second album The Art of Tea, which saw Franks begin a long relationship with Warner Bros. Records. The Art of Tea featured Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, and Wilton Felder of the Crusaders and included the hit song "Popsicle Toes". His third album, Sleeping Gypsy (1977), which includes the song "The Lady Wants to Know", was partially recorded in Brazil. Around this time, percussionist Ray Armando gave Franks a cabasa, which became a signature instrument for him to play on stage when he was not playing guitar. Burchfield Nines (1978), which includes the song "When the Cookie Jar Is Empty," reflects his move to New York City and features more of an East Coast sound. Since then, Franks recorded more than 15 albums. His best known works include "When I Give My Love to You," "Popsicle Toes," "Monkey See, Monkey Do," "Lotus Blossom," "Tiger in the Rain," "Rainy Night in Tokyo," and "Tell Me All About It." His biggest hit came in 1983 with "When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)" from the album Passionfruit. Radio hits include "Your Secret's Safe With Me" from 1985's Skin Dive, and "Island Life" from 1987's The Camera Never Lies. Michael Franks also recorded his cover version of "Christmas Time Is Here" (the Christmas classic) with jazz pianist David Benoit released in 1996 on Benoit's Christmas album, Remembering Christmas. Discography Studio albums Live albums Compilation albums Singles 1975 - Popsicle Toes (U.S. Pop #43, U.S. AC #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 (with 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. AC #4, Canada AC #9) 1985 - When I Give My Love to You (with Brenda Russell) 1985 - Queen of the Underground 1985 - Michael Franks 1987 - Island Life 1987 - The Camera Never Lies 1987 - Doctor Sax / Face to Face 1990 - The Art of Love (U.S. R&B #59) 1990 - Speak to Me (U.S. R&B #73) 1991 - Practice Makes Perfect 1991 - Woman in the Waves 1992 - The Dream (with Yellowjackets) 1993 - Soulmate 1996 - Christmas Time Is Here (with David Benoit) 2003 - Christmas in Kyoto 2004 - Smash Up 1 Appears on References External links Official website. Discover the Michael Franks popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Michael Franks books.
Best Seller Michael Franks Books of 2024
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Sports Betting for Winners
Rob Miech“Rob Miech has outdone himself with this poignant, behindthecurtains revelation of a world of parlays and moneyline wagers, of mobruled games, and characters named Lem and Lefty. T...
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Jimi and Me
Jonathan Stathakis & Chris EptingA young screenwriter is invited to collaborate with Jimi Hendrix on a film, resulting in the wildest eighteen months of his life and coinciding with the tumultuous final months of ...
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Pashtun
Ron LealosAn adrenalinefilled war story that depicts the challenges of military special operations in a dangerous, boulderfilled landscapeThe Company has a special secret operation planned f...
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Playing Dead
Elizabeth Greenwood“A delightful read for anyone tantalized by the prospect of disappearing without a trace.” Erik Larson, New York Times bestselling author of Dead Wake“Delivers all the lofi spy she...
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The Boston Celtics
Michael D. McClellan & Volk JanSince the team’s inception in 1946, the Boston Celtics have been at the heart of the culture and history of the city they call home. And as Boston has transformed over the years, t...
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Me, Family and the Making of a Footballer
Jamie Redknapp'a wonderful book ... a great read' Daily Mail'a fascinating book ... I really enjoyed it' Piers Morgan, Good Morning Britain'a heartwarming, funny and insightful read. Perfect for...
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The Null Prophecy
Michael GuillenA book to challenge the status quo, spark a debate, and get people talking about the issues and questions we face as a country!
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Illusion
Frank PerettiThe New York Times bestselling author of This Present Darkness and “master storyteller” (Karen Kingsbury, New York Times bestselling author) crafts a stunning thriller about a grie...
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Slipknot
Jason Arnopp"The only plan right now is to kill everybody" Joey Jordison, drummerIgnoring every rule in the book and more besides, Slipknot are a notoriously controversial band who combine a ...
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Dirty Tricks
Martyn GregoryRichard Branson's Virgin Atlantic was valued at over £1.2 billion when he sold a 49% stake to Singapore Airlines in 1999. This was an extraordinary achievement for an airline t...
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The DC Book
Stephen WiacekTravel the myriad worlds of the DC Multiverse. If you want to truly understand DC Comics, The DC Book is your onestop eguide to the DC Multiverse. It is a unique and insightful exa...
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The Boston Celtics
Michael D. McClellan & Volk JanSince the team’s inception in 1946, the Boston Celtics have been at the heart of the culture and history of the city they call home. And as Boston has transformed over the years, t...
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The Secret
Ruth ThomasMum knew she shouldn't have left the children alone. That was why she was hurrying home, running to catch the evening train. She was so worried about Nicky and Roy that she didn't ...
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Thanks For Nothing
Jack DeeComedian Jack Dee's hilarious account of how he became quite such a miserable git and a stand up comedian.'A brilliant book. So funny. It's my bible' Paul O'GradyIn this hilariousl...
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Collateral Damage
Mark ShawIf there had been no coverup of Robert Kennedy’s complicity in the murder of Marilyn Monroe in 1962 and he had been prosecuted based on compelling evidence at the time, the assassi...
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Taste
Stanley TucciINSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERNamed a Notable Book of 2021 by NPR and The Washington PostFrom awardwinning actor and food obsessive Stanley Tucci comes an intimate and charming ...
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Michael Easton v. Honorable Gary C. Franks
First District, Houston Court of Appeals of TexasRelator, Michael Easton seeks the issuance of a writ of mandamus compelling the respondent, Gary Franks, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Fort Bend County, Texas to grant relators...
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Michael Collins
Dr James MackayThe most charismatic figure to emerge during the struggles for the independence of Ireland was undoubtedly Michael Collins. This remarkable biography, which draws on much hitherto ...
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Back to the Future
Michael Klastorin & Randal AtamaniukGreat Scott! Go Back to the Future with Doc Brown and Marty McFly in this visually stunning look at the creation of one of the most beloved movie trilogies of all time.Few films ha...
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Terror of the Autumn Skies
Blaine PardoeFrank Luke, Jr. was an unlikely pilot. In the Great War, when fliers were still “knights of the air,” Luke was an ungallant lonera kid from Arizona who collected tarantulas, shot b...
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Galway Bay
Mary Pat KellyIn the bestselling tradition of Frank Delaney, Colleen McCullough, and Maeve Binchy comes a poignant historical family saga set against the Famine. In a hidden Ireland where fisher...
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Staying on Track
Nigel Mansell'EXTREMELY ENTERTAINING...REMARKABLY FRANK' DAILY TELEGRAPH 50 GREATEST SPORTS BOOKS OF ALL TIME After finishing as runnerup three times in the drivers' world championship, in 1992...
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Forbidden History
J. Douglas KenyonChallenges the scientific theories on the establishment of civilization and technology Contains 42 essays by 17 key thinkers in the fields of alternative science and history, inclu...
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Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli
Mark SealThis “wickedly pacey pageturner” (Total Film) unfurls the behindthescenes story of the making of The Godfather, fifty years after the classic film’s original release.The story of h...
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Miracle Moments in New York Giants Football History
Tom RockA collection of the most special moments from throughout Giants historyfrom Y.A. Tittle to Phil Simms to Eli Manning!With 32 playoff appearances under their belt, the New York foot...
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Casino Craps
Robert R. RotoOf all the games in the casino, only one allows the player to engage the house in a fair fight. Craps, when played intelligently and prudently, reduces the house advantage to a min...
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Operation Underworld
Matthew BlackFor the first time ever the full story of how Charles “Lucky” Lucianothe U.S. Mafia boss who put the “organized” into organized crimewas recruited by U.S. Naval Intelligence i...
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The Plague of Allegiance
Michael FranksThe war has turned against Germany. Development of the Nazi “wonder weapons” lag. Hitler demands elements of the American jet engine prototype, allowing his scientist to leapfrog a...
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Trousdale Estates
Steven M. PriceFilled with beautiful, vivid photographs, Trousdale is the definitive history of the architecture and design that defined both Beverly Hills and the ultimate American Dream.Trousda...
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The Plague of Allegiance
Michael FranksThe war has turned against Germany. Development of the Nazi “wonder weapons” lag. Hitler demands elements of the American jet engine prototype, allowing his scientist to leapfrog a...
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Champions of the Octagon
Fiaz Rafiq, Royce Gracie & Michael BispingLearn the stories, history, and strategy of the sport's greatest championsin their own words! Mixed martial arts (MMA) has become one of the fastestgrowing sports in the worl...
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Mack The Life
Lee Mack‘His book is a joy to read, full of homespun wisdom and hilarious asides’ IndependentWhere do comedians come from? Why is it that one person is a funny bloke down the pub while ano...