Trivia

In May 1965, Franchi sang at the huge annual Congressional Club luncheon honoring then-First Lady Lady Bird Johnson.

On October 10, 1977, Franchi served as Grand Marshall of the world's largest Italian-American celebration - New York City's Columbus Day Parade. A decade later, he held the record for the biggest one-week attendance draw at the North Shore Music Theater.

In 1976, Franchi was hired to do television commercials for Chrysler Corporation's Plymouth Volare as well as for Hills Brothers Coffee. He also signed to endorse Carpineto wines in print media because "Italy produces 90% of the grapes for wine".

On September 15, 1983, Sergio Franchi gave a Command Performance for President Ronald Reagan in honor of the Portugese State Visit.

A generous benefactor and philanthropist, Sergio Franchi was honored by The Greater New Orleans Cultural Society on March 12, 1982 where they presented him with the "16th Annual Italian American of the Year Award.".

In recognition of his support for them, The Boys' Towns of Italy presented Sergio Franchi with their prestigious "Michelangelo Award". In 2001, he was posthumously awarded the title of "Maestro" of the Stella al Merito del Lavoro (Star of Merit of Work) by the government of the Republic of Italy.

Sergio Franchi's personal passion was collecting and restoring classic and antique automobiles. He was a long-time member of the Classic Car Club of America; won awards for his restoration work, and participated in many of their cavalcades. After his death, his important collection aroused strong interest and competitive bidding at Christi's Exceptional Cars Auction in 2006.

In 1963, Sergio Franchi had three new LP albums on Billboard 200 Album Chart: "Our Man From Italy" peaked at #66; "Broadway - I Love You!" peaked at #103; and "The Dream Duet" (with Metropolitan Opera star, Anna Moffo) peaked at #97. All three albums were on RCA classical Red Seal label.

After becoming a United States citizen in 1972, Franchi often called himself a "Yankee Frankee".

A prolific recording artist on the RCA Victor label, his albums "Romantic Italian Songs" (his first US album,1962), and his 1965 Christmas Album, "The Heart of Christmas" were on Billboard's Top-40 album charts during their respective years.

Franchi's 1962 release "Romantic Italian Songs" reached The Billboard Top 200 (167th) 36 years later in 1998 when it was re-issued as a CD.

On April 17, 1968, Franchi sang The National Anthem for the Opening Day game (New York Mets vs. San Francisco Giants) at Shea Stadium.

In November 1963, Franchi was invited to attend a rally for President John F. Kennedy at the Monticello Hotel in Framingham, MA and to sing the National Anthem.

The son of a father was from Naples and a mother from Genoa, Franchi was the much older brother of singer/actress Dana Valery.

Franchi's 1965 album, "Sergio Franchi Live! at The Coconut Grove" peaked at #114 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.