The 30-year career of Frackville’s Jordan Brothers began on Halloween Eve in 1954. Their musical adventure evolved into a phenomenal 42 recordings on 15 different labels. The Jordans were destined for greatness. Appearing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand a total of three times, the Jordans were headliners on Clark’s 49-day “Caravan of Stars” that toured the United States and Canada. Traveling in one of two 40-seat busses, Frank and Joe Jordan were accompanied by the likes of The Coasters, The Drifters, The Skyliners, Bobby Rydell, La Verne Baker, Paul Anka, Annette Funicello, Jimmy Clanton and several members of the Duane Eddy’s Band, including Jim Horn and Jimmy Troxel. The Jordans were featured on Jerry Blavat’s WFIL “Discophonic TV Scene” and were mainstays on all of the important east coast TV programs, especially in the Tri-State area.
The group later recruited brothers Bobby and Lew to round out the quartet. Their recording of “Gimme Some Lovin'” in 1966 was their biggest hit, and charted at No. 1 in Boston, Baltimore and other r&b citadels. Other hits included “Things I Didn’t Say,” “Dream Romance” and “We’ll Make It.” [1]
According to music historian Maxim Furek, “For over three decades the Jordans were the top guns on the rock circuit and for a thirty-three year period, it was Frank Jordan who fronted the band. He was the spokesman, the showman, the mouthpiece. It was Frank who wrote the songs and balanced the books and then walked out the door.”
Even after the group officially broke up, their success continued. The really big event happened on September 17, 1986, at the Art and Ethnic Center in Pottsville at the stately Schuylkill County Council For the Arts. The Jordan Brothers --- who had disbanded earlier --- regrouped as the Jordan Brothers Plus One Band to perform live at this one-time event. Everyone waited in anticipation to see if Frank Jordan would actually appear. He did. And so did 700 other individuals, all members of the media, community and just plain Jordan zealots. Frankie walked on stage, grabbed the microphone and went into a vocal assault of the Jordan’s signature hit, “Gimme Some Lovin.” The crowd went crazy. Afterwards Mom Adele Jordan posed for pictures with her boys. It kept on getting better for them. In October 1986, the Schuylkill County Commissioners proclaimed “Jordan Brothers Month.”
The Return of Frank Jordan
For those having any doubts, Frankie Jordan came back to town in 1986. Devastating the Schuylkill rock community by turning a cold shoulder on his abandoned brothers, Frank Jordan has returned to the once-familiar spotlight surrounded by some impressive sidekicks, a new record deal and love on his side. Refusing to acknowledge a non-productive lifestyle, Frank secured a position at Shamokin’s WSPI (SPI 95) as a frenetic, high-powered disk jockey. It was a role that suited the prolific Jordan as well, but more importantly, it provided him the opportunity to forge in the roads in the complex music industry. Hooking up with Program Director Rich Ricigliano, the two hammered out a ditty that painted the picture of Christmastime in the barren Coal Region. With independent producer Bill Grabowski, owner of the New York City – based “A Street Records,” the three amigos sweetened the lyrics with a score that could prove to be a breakout number for Frank Jordan. “Love On Our Side,” and the flip side, “Easy Come, Easy Go,” were recorded at Northumberland’s Susquehanna Sound Studio. Both were engineered by veteran Scott Berger and produced by Grabowski. During the sessions Bill Grabowski contributed the underlying keyboard sweeps with Youth In Asia, under contract to A Street Records, providing the back-ground vocals and lead guitar artistry of member Alexander Paul. With members from the Shamokin and Port Treverton,PA areas, Youth In Asia, has been turning some heads at the Aquarian band competitions Their recent release was called “Kamikaze,” also produced by Grabowski. From Susquehanna Sound the tune was mixed at Masterdisk, New York City, and pressed at Presswell Records, New Jersey. The initial run has churned out 2250 copies of the platters which are expected to make an impact regionally during the Christmas spending spree. Sub-title “A Coal Cracker’s Christmas,” the song “Love On Our Side” showcases Frank’s matured voice as it sings of the region in terms of unemployment, despair and the ultimate, overriding survival. And after all, survival has been the legacy of the Jordan Brothers, etched in every dancehall and roadhouse within a five-county radius of Southern Schuylkill County.
For over three decades the Jordans were the top guns on the rock circuit and for a thirty-three year period, it was Frank Jordan who fronted the band. He was the spokesman, the showman, the mouthpiece. It was Frank who wrote the songs and balanced the books and then walked out the door.
Picking up the remaining pieces the brothers regrouped, recruiting the 21-year-old Johnny Jordan, son of drummer Bob, as the new bass player. Although the new band had little difficulty in picking dates, it was evident that they missed Frank’s versatility on bass, sax, lead vocals and basic stage charisma. It did not take long for the Jordan Brother’s Plus Band to heed the writing on the wall. Without him, the band wasn’t the same. Despite the fact that Frank Jordan’s release is timely, well produced and marketable, it can also be stated that with this endeavor, the crafty Jordan Brother has matched wits and talent with some successful members of the music community.
Teaming with Bill Grabowski and A Street Records may be the added factor that pushes the song over the top, for Grabowski is no stranger to the equation of opportunity and success, as witnessed by his close association with the rock act Bon Jovi.
Grabowski and Johnny Bon Jovi, roommates back in New Jersey, have been collaborating on material for quite some time. “Secret Dreams” co-written by the twosome helped win a gold record for the band as it was contained on their hot LP, “7800 F.” Ringing up impressive sales, the album is nearing the point of going platinum. Lance Quinn was the LP’s producer on this second Bon Jovi LP.
Yet another current project for Grabowski is with the Seattle band, Cryer. Both Grabowski and Lance Quinn are presently recording the band at Philadelphia’s happening Warehouse Studio.
Obviously, Frank Jordan and his gang are hoping that the musical associations will all come together for him and his latest vinyl effort. An LP is being planned and all looks will for his revived career.
But all conjecture aside, there remains one important variable that has yet to be considered. Over a two-year period an unprecedented amount of regional literature has blanketed the Coal Region, and Jordan’s lyrical essay on Christmas in Anthracite Land will either lead the charge or ride the coattails of this cultural phenomenon. In rapid succession a slew of books have been published on the colorful history of the Coal Region via “The Breakfast Boys” (Atlantic Monthly Press,) “The Patch Boys” (Holt and Company,) “Unseen Danger” (University Press,) “The Jordan Brother’s – A Musical Biography of Rock’s Fortunate Sons” (Kimberly Press,) plus several photo essays on the plight of Centralia and aborted motion picture dealing with this problem. All in all, this new-found focus on the Anthracite Valley may just promote Frank Jordan to the position of musical spokesman for the Coal Region – a role that would dramatically mark his return with “Love On Our Side.”
FRACKVILLE- A group of Frackville citizens presented the legendary Jordan Brothers with a specially engraved plaque on Saturday October 9 at 3:00 p.m., at the Municipal Building, 42 South Centre Street, Frackville, PA.
The Jordan Brothers, Joe, Frank and Lou, arrived via fire truck escort in a convertible sports car. A crowd of around 200, including numerous family members and grandchildren, greeted them with cheers and applause.
The plaque read ---
With a career that spanned from 1954 to 1985 the Frackville Brother’s musical adventure evolved into a phenomenal forty-two recordings on fifteen different labels. They appeared with host Dick Clark on “American Bandstand” and were featured on Jerry Blavat’s WFIL “Discophonic T.V. Scene.” Statewide performances included “The Coal Region’s” local dance halls, Willow Lake, Lakeside Ballroom, and The Alley. Some of their greatest hits included “Heart” and “Beach Party”. Their biggest hit “Gimme Some Lovin” came in 1966. --- The organizer for the event was Paul Klingus. Other presenters included Mayor Kim Phillips.
Frank and Joe Jordan: Together Again
After twenty-four-years, Frank and Joe Jordan reunited on stage, to recapture the musical magic of the Jordan Brothers. In 2010, performing at the Cressona Fire Company, the brothers were backed by the band Diaspora. A rowdy crowd of approximately 260 screaming fans were positive proof that the Jordan Brothers still have drawing power. The benefit was organized for Debbie Roadcap, granddaughter of Willow Lake owners Tom and Dot Smith. Willow Lake had been one of the more popular Jordan haunts.
Frank Jordan reflected on the evening. “The response was tremendous and working with Joe again was so fulfilling. Thoughts of the past were shooting in my mind as well as Joe's of how we toured with so many greats back then. The Dick Clark tour was great, but there were so many appearances that stuck out in our minds and promotional appearances on various TV and radio stations.”
Kicking off the concert with the instrumental “Hard Times,” the Jordans continued with such staples as “Send Me Your Picture,” “Heart,” “Lovers Never Say Goodbye,’ “You Were Mine,” and the Knockout’s “Darling Lorraine.” Frank Jordan also performed his 1986 breakout hit “Love on Our Side” and his latest offering, “Christmas Things.”
“I am proud of ‘Christmas Things,’ said Frank, “because it is my own accomplishment both the writing of the lyrics and the music and the recording of all the instrumentation. I always played different instruments and don’t forget that when Joe or Lew had to go to do their stints in the Army Reserves, I played the gigs doing their parts vocally and playing their instruments to keep the dances going. They were tough times, but it worked.”
The last time that Frank and Joe performed together was on September 17, 1986, at the Art and Ethnic Center in Pottsville at the stately Schuylkill County Council For the Arts. The Jordan Brothers --- who had disbanded earlier --- regrouped as the Jordan Brothers Plus One Band to perform live at this one-time event. And on October 1986, the Schuylkill County Commissioners proclaimed “Jordan Brothers Month.”
Reading’s long-time Jordan fan, Leanna Light, explained the event this way. “ I am so grateful to Joe and Frank for getting together for this event. It was a night that I will never forget. The Jordan Brothers gave us the BEST music and memories of our lives for so many years. They were the classiest, most talented band, and the nicest guys you could ever have as friends. Their ability to always keep up with the latest musical trends kept them ahead of all the rest. They deserve all the recognition they have received. They are still the greatest band that ever existed!”