Fabian may have started out as a dreamy teen idol but he successfully turned his early fame into an enduring career in the entertainment industry. Discovered at the young age of 15, the Italian-American Phily native set hearts aflutter across the country with his good looks and smooth vocals.

Bob Marcucci, the same music producer who turned Frankie Avalon into a star, saw something special in Fabian and started recording singles with him. A few songs later, Fabian reached the Top 40 with "I'm a Man," written for him by veteran songsmiths Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Two Top 10 hits followed, titled "Turn Me Loose" and "Tiger," each selling millions of copies.

To give audiences (especially female fans) a chance to evaluate the whole package, Fabian became a regular on American Bandstand, his every appearance marked by screaming, fainting and general underwear-throwing. The popular nostalgia-themed sitcom Laverne and Shirley dedicated much air time to Fabian-worship, led by the two title characters.

The next venue to conquer was film and Fabian tried his acting chops in Hound Dog Man, featuring a song with the same name that reached #9 in the pop charts. Other films followed and Fabian shifted his attention to cinema, though he kept recording periodically.

A full-fledged actor/singer, Fabian continues his work today, most notably with "Fabian's Goodtime Rock 'n Roll Show," a musical revue showcasing artists from the 1950s and 60s. A recorded version of the revue has become a familiar sight on public television.