“Born Frankie Robinson in
Detroit, the youngest of seven children born to Clarence and Elizabeth
Robinson. He was nicknamed “Sugar Chile” by his mother. Although neither parent
was a musician, Frankie began playing piano by ear at the age of two. At the
age of three, he won a talent show at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit. By six,
he was playing guest shots with Lionel Hampton’s band and the Frankie Carle
Orchestra. In 1946, he made a cameo in the Van Johnson film “No Leave, No Love”
performing “Caldonia”. In March 1946, Robinson performed at a gala in
Washington DC for President Truman. He played four numbers including “Caldonia”
during which he shouted out, “How’m I Doin’, Mr President?” This became a
popular catch-phrase. In 1947, he was the subject of a seven-minute film
entitled “Frankie ‘Sugar Chile’ Robinson.” In 1949, Robinson made his first
recordings for the Capitol label. His first two releases were “Numbers Boogie”,
which made it to number four on the Billboard R&B charts, and “Caldonia”
which reached number 14. Robinson toured and recorded until 1952, when he
requested that he be allowed to return to school. He graduated from Northern
High School at age 15. He went on to attend Olivet College in Michigan, and
graduated with a degree in psychology in 1960.”
IMDb Mini Biography