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{{Refimprove|date=June 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{short description|American guitarist and bassist (born 1951)}}
{{BLP sources|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Frank Infante
| name = Frank Infante
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| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=y|1951|11|15}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|11|15}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[United States]]
| birth_place = [[Jersey City, New Jersey]], U.S.
| origin =
| origin =
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[Punk Rock]], [[Pop music|Pop]], [[New Wave music|New Wave]], [[Blues]]
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[punk rock]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[New wave music|new wave]], [[blues]]
| occupation = [[Musician]], [[Songwriter]]
| occupation = Musician
| instrument = [[Guitar]], [[Bass guitar|Bass]], [[Vocals]]
| instrument = Guitar, bass
| years_active = 1970s-Present
| years_active = 1970s-present
| label = [[EMI]], [[Chrysalis Records]], [[Warner Bros. Records]]
| label = [[EMI]], [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]], [[Warner Records|Warner Bros.]]
| associated_acts = [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[New York Dolls]], [[Iggy Pop]], [[Divinyls]], [[Joan Jett]]
| associated_acts = [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[New York Dolls]], [[Iggy Pop]], [[Divinyls]], [[Joan Jett]], [[Chequered Past]]

| website = [http://frankinfante.com/ www.frankinfante.com]
| notable_instruments =[[Gibson Les Paul]]
}}
}}


'''Frank Infante''' (born 15 November 1951) is an [[United States|American]] [[guitarist]] and [[bassist]] best known as a former member of the [[New Wave music|new wave]] band [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]].
'''Frank Infante''' (born November 15, 1951)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Porter |first1=Dick |author-link1=Dick Porter |last2=Needs |first2=Kris |author-link2=Kris Needs |year=2012 |title=Parallel Lives Blondie}}</ref> is an American guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of the [[New wave music|new wave]] band [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]].


== Early career and Blondie ==
Prior to [[Blondie]], he established himself playing guitar in heavy, electric [[blues]] groups such as The Elegant End and World War III. In 1975, he joined [[Sniper (American band)|Sniper]]. Infante joined Blondie in 1977 as a session player. The group had been formed three years earlier by singer [[Deborah Harry]] and guitar player [[Chris Stein]], out of the remnants of Harry's previous group, The Stilettos. [[Gary Lachman|Gary Valentine]] was the band's bassist that August but was replaced by Infante in July 1977.
Infante began his music career playing guitar in hard rock and electric blues groups such as The Elegant End and World War III. He joined [[Sniper (American band)|Sniper]] in 1975 and then [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] in 1977 as a session player, replacing bassist [[Gary Lachman|Gary Valentine]]. Blondie released their second album ''[[Plastic Letters]]'' in 1978. Infante played bass and guitar on the album but was not pictured on its cover. Later in 1978, Blondie recruited bassist [[Nigel Harrison]], which allowed Infante to switch to guitar full-time. Record producer [[Mike Chapman]] has said that he considered Infante to be an "amazing guitarist" and the most technically proficient member of Blondie when he began producing ''[[Parallel Lines]]'' in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/blondie-hanging-telephone|title=Blondie 'Hanging On The Telephone'|website=Soundonsound.com|access-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref> Although the group was already a commercial force in the UK and Australia, ''[[Parallel Lines]]'' and its follow-up ''[[Eat to the Beat]]'' (1979) proved to be Blondie's commercial breakthroughs in the US.


After sessions for the band's 1980 album ''[[Autoamerican]]'', Infante sued the group for his alleged minimal involvement in the recording (which would affect his royalties), but the matter was settled out of court. Infante stayed on as an official member of Blondie for the 1982 album ''[[The Hunter (Blondie album)|The Hunter]]'', but [[Deborah Harry]] has claimed in interviews that despite receiving credit, Infante's participation in the sessions was essentially non-existent. Infante was no longer a member of the group during their tour in July and August 1982, and Blondie officially broke up by the end of the year.
[[Chrysalis Records]] took over [[Blondie]]'s contract from [[Private Stock Records]], and in February 1978, the band released their second album, ''[[Plastic Letters]].'' Infante played on the record but was not pictured on the album cover. He continued to play bass for Blondie until [[Nigel Harrison]] joined the group later that year, at which point Harrison took over the role of bass player and Infante switched to guitar. Both Infante and Harrison stayed with the band until it broke up in 1982, but neither were included when [[Blondie]] reformed in the late 1990s. Infante and Harrison sued the other members of the band for reforming the band without them, but were unsuccessful.


Throughout his time with the band, Infante contributed to writing a handful of [[Blondie]]'s songs, including "[http://www.musictory.com/music/Blondie/Victor Victor]", "I Know But I Don't Know", and "Underground Girl" which was a demo from the band's ''[[Parallel Lines]]'' sessions in 1978. <ref>http://www.musictory.com/music/Blondie/Victor</ref><ref>http://www.last.fm/music/Blondie/Parallel+Lines</ref>
Throughout his time with Blondie, Infante contributed to writing a handful of their songs, including "Victor" and "I Know but I Don't Know", plus a demo from the ''[[Parallel Lines]]'' sessions titled "Underground Girl".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musictory.com/music/Blondie/Victor |title=Victor – Blondie music and video |website=Musictory.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}</ref> Neither Infante nor Harrison were asked to rejoin when Blondie reformed in the late 1990s. Infante and Harrison sued the other members of the band for reforming without them,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/21/arts/blondie-proves-again-it-s-a-group-not-a-girl.html|title=Blondie Proves (Again) It's a Group, Not a Girl|first=Ann|last=Powers|date=February 21, 1999|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=The New York Times}}</ref> but the lawsuits were unsuccessful.


==Post Blondie==
== After Blondie ==
During Blondie's hiatus in 1981, Infante went on to work on [[Joan Jett]]'s album ''[[Bad Reputation (Joan Jett album)|Bad Reputation]]''. He also worked on albums by [[Stiv Bators]] and [[Sylvain Sylvain]]. Shortly afterwards, he toured and recorded with groups including [[Iggy Pop]] and [[Divinyls]]. 1999 saw the release of Iggy Pop's album ''Nuggets'' and later, in 2008, ''Where The Faces Shine'', on both of which he played guitar. <ref>http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408613/bio</ref>
During Blondie's hiatus in 1981, Infante went on to work on [[Joan Jett]]'s album ''[[Bad Reputation (Joan Jett album)|Bad Reputation]]''. He also worked on albums by [[Stiv Bators]] and [[Sylvain Sylvain]]. Shortly afterward, he toured and recorded with acts including [[Iggy Pop]] and [[Divinyls]]. Iggy Pop's German compilation ''Nuggets'' in 1999 and UK box set ''Where The Faces Shine'' in 2009 both feature live tracks with Infante on guitar.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408613/bio |title=Biography for Frank Infante |website=IMDb.com |access-date=2013-08-11}}</ref>


In March 2006, Blondie were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. Seven members were invited to the ceremony, which resulted in an on-stage spat between the extant group and their former bandmates, Nigel Harrison and Frank Infante, who asked during the live broadcast of the ceremony to be allowed to perform with the group. Their request was refused by [[Deborah Harry]], who stated that the band's current line-up were already prepared for the performance.<ref>{{cite web |first= James |last= Montgomery | url =http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526082/20060314/metallica.jhtml?headlines=true | title = Metallica Thud, Blondie Feud At Rock Hall Of Fame Ceremony| work = [[MTV]] | date= 2006-03-14 |accessdate = 2006-07-24 }}</ref>
Blondie were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in March 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rockhall.com/inductees/ |title=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inductees |website=Rockhall.com |date=April 15, 2013 |access-date=2013-08-11}}</ref> Seven members were invited to the ceremony, which resulted in an on-stage spat between the extant group and Infante, who asked during the live broadcast of the ceremony that he and Nigel Harrison be allowed to perform with the group. Their request was refused by Deborah Harry, who stated that the band's current line-up were already prepared for the performance.<ref>{{cite web |first=James |last=Montgomery |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526082/20060314/metallica.jhtml?headlines=true |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060416023315/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526082/20060314/metallica.jhtml?headlines=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 16, 2006 |title=Metallica Thud, Blondie Feud At Rock Hall Of Fame Ceremony |work=MTV |date=March 14, 2006 |access-date=2006-07-24}}</ref>


⚫
In 2010, Infante toured and performed with [[The New York Dolls]] in shows at [[The Cluny]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England. He also played guitar on their album ''[[Dancing Backward in High Heels]]'', released in March 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/frank-infante-mn0000794909 |title=Frank Infante &#124; Credits |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2013-08-11}}</ref>


Infante currently lives in Los Angeles. He continues to record and perform with Infante's Inferno with Infante on guitar, former Blondie bandmate [[Clem Burke]] (drums), and Steve Fishman (bass). The trio performed at the [[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino Records]] Pop Up Store in Los Angeles in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gretschpages.com/forum/on-the-tube/ex-blondie-guitarist-frank-infante-gretsch-player-here/51471/page1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235536/http://gretschpages.com/forum/on-the-tube/ex-blondie-guitarist-frank-infante-gretsch-player-here/51471/page1/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |title=Ex-Blondie Guitarist Frank Infante Gretsch Player Here |publisher=The Gretsch Pages |date=May 15, 2012 |access-date=2013-08-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://uclaextensionmusic.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/rhino-charity-pop-up-store-returns-to-westwood-527/ |title=Rhino Charity Pop Up Store Returns to Westwood |website=Uclaextensionmusic.wordpress.com |access-date=2013-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316182022/https://uclaextensionmusic.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/rhino-charity-pop-up-store-returns-to-westwood-527/ |archive-date=2016-03-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫
In 2010, Infante toured and performed with [[The New York Dolls]] in shows at [[The Cluny]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], UK. He also played guitar on their album ''[[Dancing Backward in High Heels]]'', released in March 2011.<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/artist/frank-infante-mn0000794909</ref>


In December 2018, he was recruited by Divinyls guitarist [[Mark McEntee]] to participate in an Australian reunion tour, intended to commence in February 2019 but cancelled on the 6th of that month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.therockpit.net/2018/divinyls-reform-for-australia-tour-in-2019/|title=Divinyls reform for Australia tour in 2019 |website=Therockpit.net|date=December 2, 2018 |access-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref>
Infante currently lives in [[Los Angeles, California]], and he continues to record and perform. Infante's Inferno with Infante on guitar, [[Clem Burke]] (drums) and Steve Fishman (bass). The trio recently{{when|date=December 2012}} performed at the [[Rhino Records]] Pop Up Store, [[Los Angeles]]. <ref>http://gretschpages.com/forum/on-the-tube/ex-blondie-guitarist-frank-infante-gretsch-player-here/51471/page1/</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408613/bio] Frank Infante IMDB profile. Retrieved 2013-04-15


==External links==
== External links ==
* [http://frankinfante.com/ Official Website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110816034236/http://www.blondie.net/bio/ Official Blondie biography]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/e517d24b-6351-4efa-995c-1d8ec64c1768 Frank Infante – BBC Music]
* [http://www.blondie.net/bio/ Official Blondie Biography]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/e517d24b-6351-4efa-995c-1d8ec64c1768 Frank Infante - BBC Music]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Frank+Infante Infante discography]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Frank+Infante Frank Infante Discography]
* [http://rockhall.com/inductees/ Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees]


{{Blondie}}
{{Blondie}}
{{Divinyls}}
{{2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Infante, Frank
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Frankie Infante
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician
| DATE OF BIRTH =November 15, 1951
| PLACE OF BIRTH =New York City, US
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Infante, Frank}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Infante, Frank}}
⚫
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
⚫
[[Category:Blondie (band) members]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American musicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
⚫
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American musicians of Mexican descent]]
⚫
[[Category:Blondie (band) members]]
[[Category:American punk rock musicians]]
[[Category:American punk rock musicians]]
[[Category:American pop singers]]
[[Category:American male pop singers]]
[[Category:American New Wave musicians]]
[[Category:American new wave musicians]]
[[Category:Singers from New York City]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York City]]
[[Category:Divinyls members]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]

Latest revision as of 16:36, 1 December 2024

Frank Infante
Born (1951-11-15) November 15, 1951 (age 73)
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresRock, punk rock, pop, new wave, blues
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Guitar, bass
Years active1970s-present
LabelsEMI, Chrysalis, Warner Bros.

Frank Infante (born November 15, 1951)[1] is an American guitarist and bassist best known as a former member of the new wave band Blondie.

Early career and Blondie

[edit]

Infante began his music career playing guitar in hard rock and electric blues groups such as The Elegant End and World War III. He joined Sniper in 1975 and then Blondie in 1977 as a session player, replacing bassist Gary Valentine. Blondie released their second album Plastic Letters in 1978. Infante played bass and guitar on the album but was not pictured on its cover. Later in 1978, Blondie recruited bassist Nigel Harrison, which allowed Infante to switch to guitar full-time. Record producer Mike Chapman has said that he considered Infante to be an "amazing guitarist" and the most technically proficient member of Blondie when he began producing Parallel Lines in 1978.[2] Although the group was already a commercial force in the UK and Australia, Parallel Lines and its follow-up Eat to the Beat (1979) proved to be Blondie's commercial breakthroughs in the US.

After sessions for the band's 1980 album Autoamerican, Infante sued the group for his alleged minimal involvement in the recording (which would affect his royalties), but the matter was settled out of court. Infante stayed on as an official member of Blondie for the 1982 album The Hunter, but Deborah Harry has claimed in interviews that despite receiving credit, Infante's participation in the sessions was essentially non-existent. Infante was no longer a member of the group during their tour in July and August 1982, and Blondie officially broke up by the end of the year.

Throughout his time with Blondie, Infante contributed to writing a handful of their songs, including "Victor" and "I Know but I Don't Know", plus a demo from the Parallel Lines sessions titled "Underground Girl".[3] Neither Infante nor Harrison were asked to rejoin when Blondie reformed in the late 1990s. Infante and Harrison sued the other members of the band for reforming without them,[4] but the lawsuits were unsuccessful.

After Blondie

[edit]

During Blondie's hiatus in 1981, Infante went on to work on Joan Jett's album Bad Reputation. He also worked on albums by Stiv Bators and Sylvain Sylvain. Shortly afterward, he toured and recorded with acts including Iggy Pop and Divinyls. Iggy Pop's German compilation Nuggets in 1999 and UK box set Where The Faces Shine in 2009 both feature live tracks with Infante on guitar.[5]

Blondie were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2006.[6] Seven members were invited to the ceremony, which resulted in an on-stage spat between the extant group and Infante, who asked during the live broadcast of the ceremony that he and Nigel Harrison be allowed to perform with the group. Their request was refused by Deborah Harry, who stated that the band's current line-up were already prepared for the performance.[7]

In 2010, Infante toured and performed with The New York Dolls in shows at The Cluny, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He also played guitar on their album Dancing Backward in High Heels, released in March 2011.[8]

Infante currently lives in Los Angeles. He continues to record and perform with Infante's Inferno with Infante on guitar, former Blondie bandmate Clem Burke (drums), and Steve Fishman (bass). The trio performed at the Rhino Records Pop Up Store in Los Angeles in 2011.[9][10]

In December 2018, he was recruited by Divinyls guitarist Mark McEntee to participate in an Australian reunion tour, intended to commence in February 2019 but cancelled on the 6th of that month.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Porter, Dick; Needs, Kris (2012). Parallel Lives Blondie.
  2. ^ "Blondie 'Hanging On The Telephone'". Soundonsound.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Victor – Blondie music and video". Musictory.com. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  4. ^ Powers, Ann (February 21, 1999). "Blondie Proves (Again) It's a Group, Not a Girl". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Biography for Frank Infante". IMDb.com. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  6. ^ "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inductees". Rockhall.com. April 15, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  7. ^ Montgomery, James (March 14, 2006). "Metallica Thud, Blondie Feud At Rock Hall Of Fame Ceremony". MTV. Archived from the original on April 16, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2006.
  8. ^ "Frank Infante | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  9. ^ "Ex-Blondie Guitarist Frank Infante Gretsch Player Here". The Gretsch Pages. May 15, 2012. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  10. ^ "Rhino Charity Pop Up Store Returns to Westwood". Uclaextensionmusic.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  11. ^ "Divinyls reform for Australia tour in 2019". Therockpit.net. December 2, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
[edit]
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