Bob Franklin (2)

Barbershop lead vocalist. Born on May 18, 1934 in New York City, Bob’s inspiration for singing came from hearing groups on stage at Carnage Hall. He moved to Florida as a child and met his new lifelong friend, Gene Cokeroft, and began singing barbershop at a young age. Lead of the 1961 SPEBSQSA International Champions, the Suntones. He became one of the greatest barbershop lead singers of all time. He actively performed with the Suntones from late 1958 to late 1979 and returned for their 30th anniversary celebration in 1991. Began actively singing with them again around 1999. Traveled all across the country with the Suntones and performed on both the Jackie Gleason Show and the Mike Douglas Show and was featured on 9 of the Suntones 10 record albums as well as all of their compilation CDs. Remembered for many solos such as, “If You Can’t Tell The World She’s A Good Little Girl” and “By The Time I Get To Phoenix.” Bob sang in a few quartets prior to the Suntones and sang in a few more later in his life. He went on to coach several barbershoppers. He is also the father of gospel singer, Terry Franklin. Bob is one of only two surviving gold medal winning members of the Suntones today.