14 Facts About Franny Beecher

Franny Beecher continued to perform with surviving members of the Comets into 2006.

Franny Beecher worked with other big bands, with singer and former Goodman "bop band" pianist Buddy Greco and the Sharps, as well as with several country western groups.

Franny Beecher first worked with the Comets in fall 1954 as a session musician, replacing the recently deceased guitarist Danny Cedrone.

Franny Beecher had to be instructed to make his guitar solos less jazzy.

At the time Franny Beecher began working for Haley's group, Haley did not employ a full-time lead guitarist who would play on live shows and TV appearances.

Franny Beecher had the ability to send his voice into a high pitch.

In 1959, Williamson and Franny Beecher recorded a duet, "ABC Rock", in which Franny Beecher sang two entire verses in his little-kid voice.

Franny Beecher performed with this group until July 2006, after which the group announced he had retired; although it was announced that the 85-year-old guitarist would tour Europe with the Comets in early 2007, this did not occur.

Franny Beecher played an Epiphone Emperor when he was a member of the Benny Goodman band in 1948 and 1949, which he played on the Ed Sullivan Show during a performance of "Rock Around the Clock".

Franny Beecher played a cherry sunburst Gibson ES-137 Classic in concerts and while touring.

In October 2007, Franny Beecher performed as a special guest of the Rib House Band at the Bridgeport Rib House in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania.

Franny Beecher appeared on The Toast of the Town show on CBS television with the Benny Goodman band in December, 1948.

Franny Beecher is featured on two Benny Goodman albums, Modern Benny on Capitol and Benny Goodman at the Hollywood Palladium.

Franny Beecher died on February 24,2014, in his sleep from natural causes.