Biography
The blues world should prepare for one of the most sought-after comebacks of the century: singer-guitarist Magic Frankie is back.
With an impressive resume, the Gangster of the Blues knows like no other how life as a blues musician works. At a young age, Frank felt attracted to the dark sounds of the blues. In the 80's, while in his twenties, he surprised his homeland with Magic Frankie & The Blues Disease. This caused a true blue wave formation in the Netherlands, but was also internationally noted. BB King himself, gave Frank the biggest compliment ever when he released the album 'It's Magic' signed with the words "You really play my kind of blues."
The years that followed were marked by success. Musical gems as "Hearts In Sorrow" - in collaboration with the legendary Kaz Lux and 'Lucky' - with guest performances by Lois Lane and Thijs van Leer, shook the blues world to its foundations. Besides many television performances, as for TV with the Metropole Orchestra, the German WDR and various children's programs as Klokhuis and All Kids, the prison tour was one of the highlights of this time period. For two weeks, Magic Frankie went into prisons throughout the country and dedicated them to Christmas.
The new millennium brought Frankie good health. His lifestyle issues, that had affected the Gangster of the Blues, were very tame. Even his longtime companions had left The Blues Disease to go somewhere else to seek refuge. On a personal level, Magic Frankie suffered many setbacks and around 2004 he decided to put his guitar away for a while. The blues spirit was lost, the magic broken.
But the Gangster would not be sure if he himself would again pick it up. Later, when the Southside Blues Revue called for him to jam on a number of songs, Magic Frankie came back to life. When playing the first notes, Frankie realizes that he not only plays blues: he breathes blues. He decided at that moment that he had gained a new life experience and he would play his blues with more intensity than before.
After a while, it came to Magic Frankie that the need for his Blues Disease would give him a new lease on life.
Along with newcomer January Borgers (bass), and veterans Pascal Lanslots (Hammond, piano) and French Damen (drums), the ultimate blues band is once again back together.
The Gangster of the Blues is back in business.
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