Famed Mouseketeer Annette Funicello was born in nearby Utica, NY on October 22, 1942. Her parents Virginia & Joseph Funicello left CNY for sunny California when Annette was age 4. There she started performing professional at age 12 eventually becoming a very well know singer, actress and movie stars in our youth. She was selected as one of Walt Disney's Mouseketeers on his weekday show "The Mickey Mouse Club" (1955-59) where she not only sang & danced but appeared in popular Disney segments such as "Spin & Marty."
This led to many poplar hits records as- "How Will I Know My Love" (1958), "Tall Paul " (1959), Jo Jo The Dog Faced Boy" (1959), "Lonely Guitar" (1959),"First Name Initial" (1959), "Oh Dio Mio" (1960), "Pineapple Princess " (1960) and "Hawaiian Love Talk" (1961) that mentions Utica all graced the airwaves of both WOLF & WNDR Radio here in Syracuse.
Her amazing popularity shifted to motion pictures "Shaggy Dog", Babes in Toyland", " many Beach Party movies with Frankie Avalon and " Monkey's Uncle" (with the Beach Boys) to name just a few.
Annette also appeared here in Syracuse. First on November 10, 1961- for a contest run by WNDR Radio called "Have Dinner With Annette" where two lucky winners had dinner with Annette and WNDR's "Dandy Dan" Leonard. The second back in 1964 for Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars Tour at the War Memorial with Paul Anka, Duane Eddy, LaVern Baker, Bobby Rydell, Lloyd Price and Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners.
Sadly Annettte passed away in Bakersfield, Ca. on April 8, 2013 at age 70. Seeing her aways brought us back to our youth.
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