Just like “American Idol,” “American Bandstand” was a huge springboard for young singers. And just like Kelly Clarkson, Fabian Forte owes his career to that show. It really kickstarted his career and after that, Forte never looked back.
Forte only started thinking of a singing career when he was spotted by Bob Marcucci, the owner of Chancellor Records. At first, he turned Marcucci’s offer down, but he came around eventually. He went on to have hit songs like “Turn Me Loose” and “Tiger.” Looking back on his career, Fabian (as he was originally known as) can be very proud having had 11 of his songs reach the Billboard Hot 100.
James Dean (1950s)
James Dean's career was not a long one, but it definitely left a mark on the Industry. As an aspiring actor, Dean was a film extra before getting his big break at the prestigious Actors Studio in the 1950s. When people saw his talent in "East of Eden" in 1953, he officially became an icon.
His rugged image made "Rebel Without A Cause" a 1955 hit, but sadly, he never got to enjoy the film's success. At 24 years old, Dean, who liked racing cars in his spare time, died in a tragic racing crash before the movie was released.
Davy Jones (1960s)
Commonly known as the frontman of The Monkees, Davy Jones was actually an actor first. His fun attitude and good looks helped him get the part of Jack Dawkins (Artful Dodger) in "Oliver!" — the West End musical.
Jones decided to pursue a career in music when he saw The Beatles perform. He did okay as a solo artist, but things really changed for him when he joined The Monkees. “I Wanna Be Free” and “Daydream Believer” were the hits that introduced Jones to significant fame. In 1971, the band broke up, and Jones went back to acting until he passed away from a heart attack in 2012.
Connie Francis (1960s)
Connie Francis was close to giving up on music after releasing singles that didn't really end up catching on. Her father then asked her to record a cover of the song “Who’s Sorry Now?” And guess what - it turned out to be exactly what she needed in order to take her career to the next level.
She rode that fame horse through the 1960s but sadly, it didn't carry her through the ‘70s. After being brutally attacked in a hotel room she stayed in, she sank into depression for a while. Francis pulled through many personal tragedies over the next decade. Despite being well into her 80s, she's still active.
Mark Lester (1960s-1970s)
Mark Lester made a name for himself playing the title role in the musical film "Oliver!" in 1968. And it is safe to say that he will forever be remembered for that iconic role, and for asking for more porridge in the cutest way imaginable. He was quickly showered with other acting suggestions, including in European cinema, making him an international star.
Lester had a tough time dealing with his success. At 18 years old, he became reckless with his money and descended into substance abuse. A year later, he decided to retire from acting. He trained in martial arts and became a certified osteopath.