When Frank was just a small child, he seemed to have a love for music. He would always be dancing or tapping on something. He seemed to be mesmerized at the family gatherings when his father, uncle and grandfather would start playing and singing. Frank always wanted to be a part of the music. Grandpa would play the mandolin, Uncle Nunzio would switch off playing the accordion and guitar with Frank’s dad, Angelo, and everybody would sing.

Frank would tap his feet to the music, and his family would tease him of becoming a tap-dancer someday, much like his older cousin, Jonny Polito form Pittsburgh. His Uncle Nunzio gave him a trumpet at the age of 7, to encourage Frank to play an instrument. He only used it to tap on the horn end to fill in for a cymbal sound. After seeing a Beatles cartoon and using a little imagination, he found various items with different sounds to complete his make shift drums (Frank also has fond memories  of blowing popcorn out of the trumpet, although he’s sure his uncle wasn’t hip on the new permanent sound this horn now created).

Frank’s mother Angela was not impressed by Frank’s obsession with the sound of crystal glasses and fine china. She had a talk with Frank’s father and they decided to get Frank some music lessons and put his talents to good use. Angelo tried several options such as an electric organ, an accordion, and a guitar. Frank learned to play all of these instruments, but still liked banging on things, including the back of the guitar. It made an authentic bongo sound Ma and Pa, finally exhausted, gave in to the idea of Frank taking drum lessons. It would probably be cheaper and safer, so at the age of 8, he took his first lesson.

Frank took lessons for 6 1/2 years, observing all the changing styles of music, and absorbing all the rock and roll he could. He says he still can’t believe that the classical original beat created by Deep Purple drummer, Ian Paice for the song, “Smoke on the Water” would later become the standard beat for disco music.

Frank’s parents uprooted the family and moved from Chicago to Schaumburg, (where he met his wife Donna) sending Frank into a tailspin. Frank threw himself into his music, despite his depression from relocating. With the disco era booming, Frank craved rock and roll - the harder the better. He  expanded his drum kit from a 5piece to a 13piece Tama, and eventually to a 17piece kit with 10 cymbals. He met some musicians and they formed a band. They played in the garage (due to volumes), and recalls setting up in -20degree weather to play “Just for the fun of it.” His parents          considered the “Danger” level, and decided he wasn’t going to give up on his passion. They built Frank a practice room alongside the family room. Needless to say his parents know and love the song “Freebird” as well as many other songs.

The bands and members went through many changes throughout the years, some even interchanged. So many musicians, so little time. Playing with many different musicians and becoming part of a large circle of friends a band called “Rare Breed” was formed. Within a few months, the band was playing all the clubs in the Chicagoland circuit. As all good things come to an end, so did the band. Frank and his wife moved to southern Illinois. Frank abandoned his music to go to college. After 2 years, Frank and his wife Donna returned to Schaumburg. Frank’s father had stored Frank’s entire drum kit while he was off at school. Frank began playing again with different musicians to satisfy his rock and roll craving. Frank was asked to consider joining or forming a band but he remembered the long, hard hours and late nights of the starving artist.

Frank was also working on starting a family. He sold his drum kit and put performing music in the past. He eventually moved to Elgin and joined a band called “Long Shot”, later to be renamed, “Hardnox”. Frank grew tired of music again, and quit the band. In 1997, Frank’s father was contacted through a former Rare Breed guitarist Jimmy. He was asked to convey a message to Frank about some musicians seeking a drummer for a 6-week project. It was a wedding for the son of one of his friends, and it was going to be “Just for fun”.

This 6-week “just for fun” gig continues 9 years later, (Backyard) but things are a bit more serious.
 Frank says every musician he’s played with, any rehearsal, no matter how good or bad, has been a lesson learned, and just for fun. Band Names: Crystal Atmosphere, Stone Band, D.D. and the V’s, Rare Breed, Tragedy, Long Shot, Hardnox, and current band Backyard.