Fabiano Anthony Forte, better known as Fabian, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1943 to a police officer father. Tragedy struck when Fabian's father fell ill and passed away, leaving the young boy to find work to support his family. Despite the hardships, Fabian's good looks and charisma eventually caught the attention of record promoters, who saw potential in the talented teenager.
With no prior experience, but a whole lot of natural charm, Fabian was "discovered" and artificially groomed for rock 'n' roll stardom. He received singing lessons, a complete visual makeover, and was marketed with a rebellious image and a snarling baritone that set him apart from other clean-cut heartthrobs of his era, such as Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell.
After a few false starts, including his early single "Shivers", Fabian's career took off thanks to the exposure he received on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. He went on to record a string of Top 10 hits, including "Tiger", "Hound Dog Man", and his signature song "Turn Me Loose". Fabian's pop success even led to a stint in acting, where he trained under the tutelage of Sanford Meisner.
Fabian's film career saw him appear in a number of notable movies, including "Hound-Dog Man", "North to Alaska", "High Time", and the all-star epic "The Longest Day". However, as the years went by, Fabian found himself typecast in cheap-jack beach and biker films, struggling to adapt to the changing musical landscape.
The invasion of The Beatles in the mid-60s marked the beginning of the end for Fabian's musical career, but he continued to work in the entertainment industry, taking on low-budget film projects and touring with Dick Clark's nostalgia revue. In the 1990s, Fabian transitioned into a minor TV, film, and music producer, and has since been married to his third wife, Andrea Patrick, a former beauty queen.
