Frank Sugar Chile Robinson

 

 

Frank 'Sugar Chile' Robinson

Biography


Born



December 28, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, USA


Height

4' 5" (1.35 m)


Mini Bio

Born Frankie Robinson in Detroit, the youngest of seven children born to Clarence and Elizabeth Robinson. He was nicknamed "Sugar Chile" by his mother. Although neither parent was a musician, Frankie began playing piano by ear at the age of two. At the age of three, he won a talent show at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit. By six, he was playing guest shots with Lionel Hampton's band and the Frankie Carle Orchestra. In 1946, he made a cameo in the Van Johnson film "No Leave, No Love" performing "Caldonia". In March 1946, Robinson performed at a gala in Washington DC for President Truman. He played four numbers including "Caldonia" during which he shouted out, "How'm I Doin', Mr President?" This became a popular catch-phrase. In 1947, he was the subject of a seven-minute film entitled "Frankie 'Sugar Chile' Robinson." In 1949, Robinson made his first recordings for the Capitol label. His first two releases were "Numbers Boogie", which made it to number four on the Billboard R&B charts, and "Caldonia" which reached number 14. Robinson toured and recorded until 1952, when he requested that he be allowed to return to school. He graduated from Northern High School at age 15. He went on to attend Olivet College in Michigan, and graduated with a degree in psychology in 1960.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Joanne King



In 2006, his 1950 recording of "Go Boy Go!" was used in a television commercial for Dockers.

In 1948, the American Federation of Musicians gave special consent for Robinson to be granted membership, making him the youngest ever member of the AFM at that time.

Personal Quotes

I had to make a decision about whether to keep entertaining or to get an education. And that's what I did.