August 31: Tony DeFranco of the DeFranco Family pop group is 51 today.

With their youthful exuberance and cheerful music, the DeFranco Family were a successful pop music act in the mid-1970s. In addition to lead singer Tony, The DeFranco's, from Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, consisted of guitarist, Benny, keyboardist, Marisa, guitarist, Nino and drummer, Merlina .

The group had a number of hits between 1973 and 1977. Their debut 1973 single, "Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat," featuring the lead vocals of then 13-year-old Tony DeFranco, reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the top song on the Cashbox singles chart, and sold more than two million copies. Their second single, "Abra-Ca-Dabra," which reached the Top 40, was followed by their final hit, "Save the Last Dance for Me," which reached number 18 on the charts in May 1974. By the late 1970s, the group faded from the pop scene, disbanding in 1978.

Today, Tony is a realtor in Westlake Village, California.

Press links below to view You Tube videos:
-- "Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat"
-- "Abra-Ca-Dabra"

-- "Presenters on Grammy Awards"