Frances (Frani ) Giordano

A pert blonde, Frani Giordano was a particular favorite of male viewers

Frani was born Francis Marie Giordano April 5, 1944 in Philadelphia. Frani Giordano came from a well-to-do family. She lived with her father, Joseph, a buyer at the P&F Giordano, the family's fruit and produce market in South Phildelphia; her mother Emma; two brothers, Felix and Joe; and two sisters, Anna Marie and Paula.

L-R) Frank Lobis, Jimmy Peatross, Bonnie Harden, Frani Giordano
Picture was taken probably late 50s or very early 60s at the beach at Sea Isle where Frani Giordano's parents owned a summer home.

Her parents had a huge family beach house at Sea Isle, New Jersey, a converted yacht club that provided a venue for countless summer gatherings of Regulars over the years.

Shortly after entering school she became ill. Doctors discovered that she had chronic kidney disease. It wasn't serious but she had to be careful not to exert herself physically. By the time she entered Bartlett Junior High School her health had improved and she was living a more active life. She knew Chubby Checker and Fabian from South Philadelphia High School. Chubby and Frani frequently walked to school together. Frani was asked to be Prom Queen by many college fraternities and colleges. She knew Chubby Checker and Fabian from South Philadelphia High School. Chubby and Frani frequently walked to school together.

Frani and Arlene DiPietro at Pop Singer's Drug Store

Giordano was a cut-up with a quick sense of humor which was often on display at Pop Singer’s drug store, a favorite hangout of the regulars and regular watchers. The affable Singer, who often provided birthday cakes on-air to his favorite regulars, once arranged for Giordano to take the train to New York City for Dick Clark’s Saturday Night Show, even providing a letter to get her in. The letter was rejected, however, by two guards at the door. Giordano managed to get inside only when a classmate of hers, Fabian, popped outside a stage door and vouched for her.

She knew and dated Frank Levins, Denny Dziena, but her high school sweetheart was Freddie Fantazzia her favorite partner was Jinny Peatross. Frani was often asked to be Prom Queen by many college fraternities and colleges.

She appeared on the January 1960 cover of Teen Magazine.

She has been married at least twice, her first husband was Freddie Fantazzia her teenage sweetheart. She remaaried and is now Fran Farelli. She has four children, including her eldest daughter Cheryl Giordano Morris, who turned 50 in 2012. Though she stepped away from public life, Frani’s legacy continues through her family. Today, she is a proud grandmother of 13 — and even a great-grandmother. Her home is filled with warmth, laughter, and generations who still dance to her rhythm.

Today, Frani Giordano is in her 80s. She has chosen to live a quiet life, away from the spotlight, but her name continues to be spoken with fondness among Bandstand fans.