Huge NYC hit in early `61. Was played WABC, WINS, WMCA & WMGM. A friend of mine went to school with Frank Gari ( Garafolo) at Paramus High School in NJ
yes, bigvoice 313 is correct. Frank Gari is best known for his TV news themes. if you've ever watched American TV news, chances are you have heard his compositions at the beginning of or during the TV newscast. you can probably hear some of them by googling frank gari tv news themes. Frank's songs like 'Utopia' and 'Princess' were fantastic and should have been much much bigger hits. but I'm happy for him that he succeeded as America's most prolific TV news theme composer.
Amazing, I heard this song twice while visiting New Jersey in 1960, (no one in Ga knew what song I was talking about) and it never went completely away, amazing!
Oldie addict. They tried to send me to rehab...but it didn't work. Damn you Frank G and your kind...you have made my life a living paradise...I mean pleasure...I mean a joy to reflect on great childhood memories....you win...I hate you for thumping at my heart strings...I will hate you for a half-millisecond for what you have done to shape me into the loving person I am.
Thank you, Oldiesrnow, for bringing excitement and joy to your listeners around the world!!! This is truly a MASTERPIECE, TRULY A MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
Have not heard this in what 50 years? Saw him sing it on TV and was in the back of my mind since.Alot went into this recording and he has a great voice.
I knew Frank from Little League growing up in Dumont, N.J. His last name was Garafalo. But he and his family moved before he went to high school. If you read his write-up in Wikipedia, you'll see he became very successful writing commercial jingles and also composing the opening music for tv news shows. Good to see he has done well for himself in life.
Frank had three hits which made the Top 30, "Utopia", "Lullaby Of Love", and "Princess". All three peaked between #20 and #30, and they were his only entries in the Top 100.
Thanks for posting "Utopia"; haven't heard this in eons. Frank had a few hits in the Top-40 back then, but this is the one I remember most. By 1964 I think he was with The Beachcombers who released "This is My Love", a non-charting 45.
Hey, you're welcome and thanks for the info. I am constantly amazed at the knowledge that youtube posters have to share with the rest of us. Thanks again!
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I love it. I have the single and found it again on a CD. It is great to listen to it on YouTube. Thanks so much for posting it. I just think it is a perfect song.
I've been searching the net for YEARS in hopes of hearing "Utopia" by Frank Gari but without luck... till now! Thanks 4 posting this excellent record - what a surprise. This was a sizable hit at the time and even made the radio oldies circuit till around 1970, then nada. In the same vein as Venus in Blue Jeans, Footsteps, Pretty Blue Eyes etc... Thanks!
You're welcome, glad that you liked it! As I've mentioned before, posting a song that people enjoy (and may have not heard for years) "makes my day". Thanks for your comments!
Huge NYC hit in early `61. Was played WABC, WINS, WMCA & WMGM. A friend of mine went to school with Frank Gari ( Garafolo) at Paramus High School in NJ
wynonie 4 months ago
yes, bigvoice 313 is correct. Frank Gari is best known for his TV news themes. if you've ever watched American TV news, chances are you have heard his compositions at the beginning of or during the TV newscast. you can probably hear some of them by googling frank gari tv news themes. Frank's songs like 'Utopia' and 'Princess' were fantastic and should have been much much bigger hits. but I'm happy for him that he succeeded as America's most prolific TV news theme composer.
5BGVO4 7 months ago
I hope this sound lasts forever.
rednova55 10 months ago
Been looking for this one!!
Mstrblu 1 year ago
Amazing, I heard this song twice while visiting New Jersey in 1960, (no one in Ga knew what song I was talking about) and it never went completely away, amazing!
GANNAMEDE 1 year ago
this song and look for a star were such big hit when I was a teen.
These guys and gals could sing !!!
peacequiet 1 year ago
Oldie addict. They tried to send me to rehab...but it didn't work. Damn you Frank G and your kind...you have made my life a living paradise...I mean pleasure...I mean a joy to reflect on great childhood memories....you win...I hate you for thumping at my heart strings...I will hate you for a half-millisecond for what you have done to shape me into the loving person I am.
jerry854 1 year ago
I never thought there was a "UTOPIA" until I heard this lovely song, so lovely. Unmatched by anything I have ever heard. So exciting, so ecstatic!!!!
lexiuni55 2 years ago
Thank you, Oldiesrnow, for bringing excitement and joy to your listeners around the world!!! This is truly a MASTERPIECE, TRULY A MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
lexiuni55 2 years ago
Great song!! I didn't think I would ever find it again!! I heard it in the early 60's. Thanks for posting!!
cruiser1947 2 years ago
You're welcome, thanks for the nice comments!
oldiesrnow 2 years ago
Have not heard this in what 50 years? Saw him sing it on TV and was in the back of my mind since.Alot went into this recording and he has a great voice.
johnnylucious 2 years ago
utopia- one of my favorite oldies, up there with image of a girl....
wiford56 2 years ago
Comment removed
wiford56 2 years ago
We all know he is mostly known for composing news music packages, but I did not know that he is a singer before he hit it big.
bigvoice313 2 years ago
I knew Frank from Little League growing up in Dumont, N.J. His last name was Garafalo. But he and his family moved before he went to high school. If you read his write-up in Wikipedia, you'll see he became very successful writing commercial jingles and also composing the opening music for tv news shows. Good to see he has done well for himself in life.
REALDonMack 2 years ago
Thank you VERY much for posting! Didn't think I'd ever hear this one again. Excellent. Haven't heard since the early 60s.
sgtlzy 2 years ago
Frank had three hits which made the Top 30, "Utopia", "Lullaby Of Love", and "Princess". All three peaked between #20 and #30, and they were his only entries in the Top 100.
vinylsingleman 3 years ago
This was one that I remember from American Bandstand and I haven't heard it since 1962 or so. Thanks for the memories.
rdf1947 3 years ago
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it. I'm waiting for someone to post a video clip of this guy.
oldiesrnow 3 years ago
Thanks for posting "Utopia"; haven't heard this in eons. Frank had a few hits in the Top-40 back then, but this is the one I remember most. By 1964 I think he was with The Beachcombers who released "This is My Love", a non-charting 45.
pgh45rpms 3 years ago
Hey, you're welcome and thanks for the info. I am constantly amazed at the knowledge that youtube posters have to share with the rest of us. Thanks again!
oldiesrnow 3 years ago
This is one of my all-time favorite songs. I love it. I have the single and found it again on a CD. It is great to listen to it on YouTube. Thanks so much for posting it. I just think it is a perfect song.
eshejh 3 years ago
I've been searching the net for YEARS in hopes of hearing "Utopia" by Frank Gari but without luck... till now! Thanks 4 posting this excellent record - what a surprise. This was a sizable hit at the time and even made the radio oldies circuit till around 1970, then nada. In the same vein as Venus in Blue Jeans, Footsteps, Pretty Blue Eyes etc... Thanks!
billricub 3 years ago
You're welcome, glad that you liked it! As I've mentioned before, posting a song that people enjoy (and may have not heard for years) "makes my day". Thanks for your comments!
oldiesrnow 3 years ago