19 Facts About Johnny Frigo

Johnny Frigo was an American jazz violinist, bassist and songwriter.

Johnny Frigo appeared in the 1940s as a violinist before working as a bassist.

Johnny Frigo returned to the violin in the 1980s and enjoyed a comeback, recording several albums as a leader.

Johnny Frigo entered the United States Coast Guard during World War II and played in a band on Ellis Island with Al Haig and Kai Winding.

Johnny Frigo toured with Jimmy Dorsey's band from 1945 to 1947, later forming the Soft Winds trio with Dorsey's guitarist Herb Ellis and pianist Lou Carter.

In 1951, Johnny Frigo returned to Chicago, primarily working as a studio bassist and arranger.

Johnny Frigo led the band at Mr Kelly's, a popular Rush Street nightspot.

Johnny Frigo played with the Sage Riders for another fourteen years after WGN revived the show in 1961.

Johnny Frigo was featured on O'Day's quartet version of "No Soap, No Hope Blues".

Johnny Frigo is credited as playing fiddle for the track "A Rectangle Picture" on the Mason Proffit album Wanted released in 1969 on the Happy Tiger label.

Johnny Frigo replied, "I wanna take as long as I could in my life so I wouldn't have time to become a has-been".

Johnny Frigo performed as a jazz violinist at festivals worldwide, including the Umbria Jazz Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival.

Johnny Frigo was a published poet and artist and played flugelhorn.

Johnny Frigo wrote and performed the 1969 Chicago Cubs fight song "Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel".

Johnny Frigo died of cancer in a Chicago hospital on July 4,2007, at age 90.

Johnny Frigo was married twice and had one son with each wife.

Johnny Frigo was survived by his second wife, the former Brittney Browne, and one son, jazz drummer Richard "Rick" Frigo, who was born to his first wife, Dorothy Hachmeister.

Johnny Frigo's other son, Derek John Frigo, who was born to Browne, was the lead guitarist for the rock band Enuff Z'nuff.

Derek Johnny Frigo died of a drug overdose on May 28,2004.