User:Edisonblamer/Frank White (musician)

Frank White is a blues guitarist from Sheffield, South Yorkshire. He rose to prominence in British popular music scene of the 1960s, alongside contemporary Dave Berry in who's band, The Cruisers, he played guitar. White regularly played alongside Jimmy Crawford and Joe Cocker.

In Sheffield, he has been affectionately dubbed by local press The Sheffield Star as "the man who could have been king", a name which refers to his decision to put raising a family in front of his dreams of stardom.

It is rumoured he was one of the choices to join The Rolling Stones following the departure of guitarist Mick Taylor. White also claimed to be scouted by Tamla Motown, who if had signed him would have made him the "first white boy on a black label".

Early Life and Career
Born and raised in the suburb of Darnall, Sheffield. His grandmother bought his first guitar when he was aged 15. White grew up in a working-class area of the city and worked as a steelworker and in Sheffield before he saw any success in music. He also worked at Sheffield City Hall during the early 60s.

White made his name as a musician in the 1960 at Sheffield's Club 60, a converted cellar space dedicated to live music owned by Terry Thornton, which kick-started much of the local Sheffield music scene before moving to Leadmill Road, rebranding two-years later as The Esquire (now known as The Leadmill).

White joined The Cruisers in 1962, alongside singer Dave Berry, guitarist Alan Taylor, bassist Peter Cliff and drummer John Riley. As a rhythm and blues band they saw success around Sheffield, becoming the resident band of club The Esquire, occasionally being joined on stage by Joe Cocker. During his period in the band, they signed to Decca and had chart success with hit single The Crying Game. Jimmy Page played guitar on The Crying Game and is said to have given White a double-neck Gibson guitar during this time.

At Peter Stringfellow's club King Mojo in Sheffield, during the 60s, White supported acts such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Small Faces. In 1965, White left Dave Berry & The Cruisers, to be replaced by Roy Ledger.

He released his first solo album in 1972, titled Nice To Be On Your Show through Fantasy Records home of Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was distributed and marketed in the United Kingdom through EMI Records Ltd.

In 1978, White became a devout Jehovah's Witness.

Personal Life
He is the grandfather of RedFaces' bassist Isaac White and the uncle of Richard Hawley, singer-songwriter and former member of Sheffield britpop band Pulp.

In 1998, White became interested in the stock market, following an unexpected monetary windfall from the shares of his Building Society.

White has mentored many guitarists through the years. In a biography of band Bring Me The Horizon, guitarist Lee Malia recounts how he met White at the age of 14, later going on to be taught by him and playing alongside him at gigs.

Studio albums

 * Nice To Be On Your Show (1973)

Singles and EPs

 * Nobody / Move On (1974)
 * Not Fade Away (1976)
 * Shelly / Take Me Home (1978)
 * What You Gonna Do (1983)