Guida, Frank and Carmela Guida/Rockmasters International Network Inc. A Guide to the Frank and Carmela Guida/Rockmasters International Network, Inc. Collection MG 128

A Guide to the Frank and Carmela Guida/Rockmasters International Network, Inc. Collection MG 128


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ODU Community Collections

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Business Number: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Mona Farrow, Reading Room Supervisor and Kathleen Smith, Special Collections Metadata Specialist

Repository
ODU Community Collections
Identification
MG 128
Title
Frank and Carmela Guida/Rockmasters International Network, Inc. Collection 1940-2008, undated 1960-1985 Date acquired: 07/21/2017
URL:
Archon Finding Aid location
Quantity
128.60 Linear Feet
Quantity
74 Hollinger document cases, 7 record center cartons, 12 oversize boxes, and 32 audiovisual boxes boxes
Creator
Guida, Frank (1922-2007)
Creator
Guida, Carmela T. (1924-2008)
Language
English , Italian .
Abstract
The collection contains administrative documents, publications, articles, research materials, technical manuals, photographs, audio-visual items, and recording equipment in regard to Frank J. Guida, his community service, creative endeavors and his work in creating the "Norfolk Sound." Most of the material dates from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

Portions of this collection are closed until January 1, 2033. Please consult a staff member for further information.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Frank and Carmela Guida/Rockmasters International, Inc. Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Gift of Rockmasters International Network, Inc., courtesy of the Guida children, Anne T. Kent, Lydia M. McHenry, and Joseph F. Guida

Method of Acquisition

Acc. 2017.012 was received by Special Collections and University from the donor via movers on 7/21/2017.

Processing Information

Collection was processed by Mona Farrow, Kathleen Smith, and Madeline Dietrich from July 2016 through May 2019.


Biographical or Historical Information

Frank Guida and his wife Carmela T. "Millie" Guida were prominent figures in the Norfolk arts and business communities in the latter half of the 20th century. Frank is most remembered for his work as a music composer and producer and for creating what he dubbed the "Norfolk Sound," which characterized a number of hit records from the early 1960s featuring Jimmy Soul, Gary U.S. Bonds, and other artists.

Frank J. Guida was born in Palermo, Sicily on May 26, 1922. At age two, his family immigrated to the West Bronx neighborhood of New York City where he grew up.  Millie (born Carmela Teresa Addesso on Sept. 11, 1924) who also grew up in New York City and graduated from Evander Childs High School. While in school, she attracted the attention of her teachers for her extraordinary singing voice and was strongly encouraged to study voice at New York's Juilliard School of Music, but World War II and marriage put her on a different path. She and Frank were married in 1942 and soon after Frank enlisted in the US Army. He was stationed at Port of Spain, Trinidad, where became interested in calypso music and performed as the "Calypso Kid" in the USO. After the war, he returned to NYC and continued his singing career performing at calypso clubs in New York's Harlem neighborhood. The Guidas moved to Norfolk in 1953 and opened Frankie's Birdland, a popular record store featuring jazz, R&B and pop music records. Beyond that Frank was active in the local music scene promoting and managing musical acts and ultimately opening a series of recording studios. He had a Friday Night radio show on local station WLOW and hosted Frankie's Jazz Workshop on WTOV-TV Channel 27. He owned several record labels including Legrand and S.P.Q.R. He was an advocate for the local and national Italian American community, a business leader, and at times an outspoken commentator of Norfolk's City Council. For his work in promoting cultural and business ties between the United States and Italy, he was awarded the title of "Cavaliere" by the Italian Republic. After raising a family and living a fulfilling career in Norfolk Frank passed away on May 19, 2007. Millie passed the following year on March 20, 2008.

Frank Guida's career as a hit-maker began in 1959 when he co-wrote the song "High School U.S.A." with Joe Royster and recorded it with Tommy Facenda on vocals. The song reached #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 later that year. But it was the following year that Guida rose to greater notoriety as a producer with the release of "New Orleans" featuring Gary U.S. Bonds and which introduced Guida's characteristic overmodulated sound to the world. "New Orleans" reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1960, and in 1961 Guida had his first #1 hit with "Quarter to Three" (Gary U.S. Bonds). Guida and Bonds had several more Billboard hits in 1961-1962. Guida again had a #1 hit in 1963 with "If You Wanna Be Happy" co-written by Joe Royster and Millie Guida and featuring Jimmy Soul on vocals. Frank's achievements in the arts, business, and cross-cultural endeavors made him a true Renaissance man, a description that would have pleased him given his life-long admiration of Leonardo DaVinci.

Note written by Madeline Dietrich

Scope and Contents

This collection contains both the personal papers of Frank and Carmela Guida, as well as the records of Frank's music business, including Rockmasters International Network Inc. The bulk of the collection consists of the records related to Rockmasters International Network, Inc. and includes correspondence, administrative records, photographs of artists and Guida's record stores, audiovisual material produced by Guida, and recording equipment used by Guida while recording the music he produced. The rest of the collection consists of the personal papers of the Guidas including corresponence, their involvement in the Italian-American Community, and plays and other writings authored by Frank Guida.

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged into ten series: Series I: Personal; Series II: Rockmasters International Network Inc.; Series III: Songs; Series IV: Certificates; Series V: Contracts; Series VI: Royalties; Series VII: Court Cases; Series VIII: Audiovisual; Series IX: Memorabilia; and Series X: Artifacts and Equipment.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series I
Series I: Personal
1977-2008, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of the personal papers, correspondence and written works of Frank J. Guida.

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Series II
Series II: Rockmasters, Inc.
circa 1940-2001, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of documents and materials relating to Guida's company that handled the recording and production of the "Norfolk Sound."

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Series III
Series III: Songs
1959-2000, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of documents and materials relating to songs that Guida along with others wrote and produced.

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Series IV
Series IV: Certificates
1950-1999, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of certificates and claims made relating to songs that Guida along with others wrote and produced (Alpha Order-By First Name/Letter). Closed until January 1, 2033.

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Series V
Series V: Contracts
1954-1999, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of contracts that Guida made with various musicians and music production companies. Closed until January 1, 2033

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Series VI
Series VI: Royalties
1960-2003, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of documents regarding royalty payments made to Guida from entertainment and music related companies (Alpha Order-by First Name/Letter). Closed until January 1, 2033

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Series VII
Series VII: Court Cases
1960-2000, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of documents regarding lawsuits between Guida and various companies (television and music), as well as individuals (recording artists and songwriters). Closed until January 1, 2033

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Series VIII
Series VIII: Audio Visual
1947-2001, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of various materials regarding the Norfolk Sound and Guida's other works. Includes compact discs, audio cassettes, reel to reel tapes, master tapes and discs, VHS video tapes, and digital audio tapes.

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Series IX
Series IX: Memorabilia
1950-1999, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of various artifacts that belonged to Guida, including autographed boxing gloves signed by "Sweat Pea" Whitaker, a stringed Mandolin Instrument from Italy, and a "Frankie's Got It" shopping bag.

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Series X
Series X: Artifacts/Equipment
circa 1950-1979, undated
Scope and Contents

This series consists of various musical equipment that Guida used to create the "Norfolk Sound," consisting of microphones, speakers, and reel to reel tape recorders.

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