Origins – DeFranco Family

The five members of “The DeFranco Family” pop group – Benny, Marisa, Nino, Merlina, and Tony – came from Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. Port Colborne is located less than a half hour’s drive from Niagara Falls. Mr. and Mrs. DeFranco, Antonio (“Tony Sr.”) and Maria (nee Finelli,) had emigrated to Canada from picturesque Roseto, Valfortore in Italy in the early 1950’s. All five of the DeFranco children were born in Port Colborne in that decade. Mr. DeFranco was employed with the International Nickel Company (INCO). In the early 1970’s, the family moved to nearby Welland, Ontario.

Mr. and Mrs. DeFranco encouraged their children’s growing interest in music. Benny, Nino and Tony learned to play guitar, though in the beginning, young Tony played the maracas. Marisa learned to play the keyboard and Merlina played the drums. The instrumental group became known as the “DeFranco Quintet” and played at banquets, weddings, and parades in Ontario. When Tony was nine, his mother offered him $5 to sing with the group at a banquet in Toronto. Tony was a hit singing “Hey Jude” and the “DeFranco Quintet” became a singing musical group. In April of 1972, “Spec” teen magazine in New York published a picture of Tony, as well as an address where fans could write. This website writer in Ontario Canada was one of many fans who wrote to Tony and the DeFrancos hoping to hear more of this pop band.

In 1972, a songwriter and teacher, R.M., from neighbouring New York state, saw the DeFrancos performing and arranged to meet them. He helped promote the musical group by taking photos and sending them to Los Angeles and New York. He also contacted fans, including this one, who had written earlier to the DeFrancos. We joined a letter writing campaign to magazines wanting to see and hear more of “The DeFranco Family.” The photos of “The DeFranco Family” caught the eye of Charles Laufer, then publisher of pop magazines, such as “Tiger Beat.” Charles Laufer invited the DeFrancos to Los Angeles to hear them. He was pleased and signed a management contract with the DeFrancos. The DeFranco Family also signed a recording contract with 20th Century. The family moved to Hollywood. They attended their first recording session on February 5, 1973. Their first single, “Heartbeat It’s a Lovebeat” was released and quickly climbed the charts. “The DeFranco Family” began appearing on t.v. shows, such as “American Bandstand.” “Heartbeat It’s a Lovebeat” was certified Platinum (over two million sales) on December 11, 1973. The LP was also released in the fall of 1973. Other songs from the LP, including “Sweet Sweet Loretta” and “Same Kind A’ Love,” were also played by radio stations in North America and internationally. The single “Abra-Ca-Dabra” climbed the charts into the Top 40. The DeFranco Family’s records were released under the 20th Century label in most of North America and Japan. In Europe, the records were released on the Philips label. In 1974, “The DeFranco Family” undertook an extensive tour of the United States, Canada, and Japan. They were also able to promote the release of their record “Save the Last Dance For Me.”

By the late 1970’s, the family’s contract with Laufer and 20th Century came to an end as there were differences with new record producers. In the next few years, the DeFranco Family members focused on education, working behind-the scenes in film and record production and on starting their own families. In 2000, “The DeFranco Family” group appeared in its last public concert performance at B.B. King’s in Los Angeles. Tony and Benny appeared in Port Colborne, Ontario in 2001 at a reunion. Tony, who was building his career in real estate with Sotheby’s International Realty in California, made occasional concert appearances as part of the Super 70’s tour. DeFranco family members are still close today and live in California. Sadly, Mr. A. DeFranco, the DeFranco’s father, known for his kindness to fans, passed away in 1985. Maria DeFranco, mother to the DeFrancos, just celebrated her 90th birthday in 2019 and is still dancing up a storm. For up to date pictures and video clips of “The DeFranco Family,” drop by Tony’s facebook page “Tony DeFranco & The DeFranco Family 70’s.”