Fran Smith Jr.

Fran Smith Jr.
Smith performing with The Hooters in 2022.
Smith performing with The Hooters in 2022.
Background information
Born (1952-07-17) July 17, 1952 (age 74)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenreRock
OccupationsMusician, record producer
InstrumentsBass, vocals
Years active1978–present
Member ofThe Hooters

Fran Smith Jr. (born July 17, 1952) is an American bass guitarist and vocalist, best known for his 30-year gig with the Philadelphia-based rock group The Hooters. Smith has also maintained a career as a recording artist in his own right, as well as a producer for other artists.

Smith has toured as Paul McCartney in Beatlemania, a celebration of The Beatles. He also played the part of Carlo Cannoli in Tony and Tina's Wedding, a long running off-Broadway comedy. From his own recording studio he has produced many successful projects for artists such as Joe Piscopo and Flo & Eddie of The Turtles.

Fran Smith Jr. at The Spectrum in 1988

In 1995, Smith released the solo CD For No Apparent Reason, as Rory Kunkle.

In 2005, he released Man Meets Machine, Fran Smith Jr and the Ten Cent Millionaires

In 2016, he released Mystic County on his son Graham Alexander's Odeon label.

Discography

*The Hooters were also honored with induction to The Philadelphia "Walk of Fame" -- (October 23, 2019)

Other contributions

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Fran Smith Jr.net (biography)". November 2, 2009. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Riordan, Kevin (March 24, 2017). "Impresario has found the future -- in Camden's legendary musical past". Philly.com. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Johnny's Dance Band – Love Wounds, Flesh Wounds (1978, Vinyl)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Nan Mancini & J.D.B. – It's A Man's World (1979, Vinyl)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The Hooters (discography)". Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  6. 1 2 "Fran Smith Jr.net (Solo)". November 2, 2009. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Largo – Largo (1998, CD, Album)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Blake Thompson – Blake Thompson (1990, CD, EP)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved October 1, 2025. Credits include Fran Smith Jr. – Bass Guitar.
  9. ↑ "Glen Burtnik – Palookaville (1996, CD, Album)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved October 1, 2025. Personnel includes Fran Smith Jr. – Backing Vocals.
  10. ↑ "Orange & Black – Baldwin Drive (2008, CD, Album)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved October 1, 2025. Credits include Fran Smith Jr. – Bass.
  11. ↑ "Scott Philipp – Just Another Day (2008, CD, Album)". Discogs. Discogs. Retrieved October 1, 2025. Credits list Fran Smith Jr. as Adviser to Producer Craig Simon.