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&
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