FRANKIE VENOM

Always liked this picture of Frank from a show at the Underground last year. At 50, I don't think I could even sit like this anymore let alone play the harmonica as well. It just wouldn't occur to me to try. Photo by Janice Bielski.

Comments

[Keisha]

Sad news. Teenage Head was the most amazing band the world could ever see. Frankie was a musical genius, without a doubt. I've always hoped i could see a Teenage Head concert, but i guess guitar lessons with Gord are as close as i'll ever get.God, i'd give up all i've ever had to live through the seventies and watch a Teenage Head Concert and get caught up in the music myself, rather than watch teh past sparkle in others' eyes.

Peace<3
Burn out, never fade away<3

[Metzfam]

One of my favourite bands of all time. You had to see Frankie and the boys live to appreciate them and I was fortunate enough to bring my own kids who are 17 and 18 to their show last fall. We were looking forward to catching them again.... but I guess that won't happen now :(. GM

[Mike K]

My buddy, Ken F put me onto Frankie and Teenage Head way back then in Vancouver. If not for that I might never have seen one of the truly great Canadian rock bands. Rare it is to see a front man and a band that posess every quality the discriminating rock fan wants to see in balls-out rock 'n roll. Whereever you are, Frankie, that's where I wanna go! Rock will never die!!!

[Chris Tessaro]

For a few years in the 1980s, I worked for the band as the guitar tech. We travelled a lot of miles in a beat up van, with Dave Rave at the mike, and Jack Pedlar on drums, and of course, Steve and Gordie. It was fun, it was entertaining... good times. And then a promoter named Shaun Pilot did the impossible: he solved the rift between the band and Frank. And one night, in Toronto, with a huge crowd to watch, Frankie Venom once again took the stage as the frontman of the greatest Canadian punk band ever. And 30 seconds into that performance, standing side stage, I forgot about working. I was mesmerized by one of the most visceral, powerful frontmen I had ever seen. He strutted, he smoked, he drank, he spat... and he tore it up. It was captivating to watch. This was a band that was greater than the sum of its parts. Together, they were amazing.
There will always be a soft spot in my heart, and in my music collection for Teenage Head. Frank Kerr may be gone, but Frankie Venom will always, in my mind, be snarling and spitting out 'Kissing The Carpet'.

[Gary Woods]

It is very hard to top many of the great things that have been said about Frankie, he for sure did it "his way". Frankie was a musical genius without a doubt. I met Frankie through my son Steve; they always had each others back, with stories of the fishing trips (Frankie caught a shopping cart one day). It was only a year ago we discovered Frankie was actually my wife's cousin. He would come up with Steve and Tammy often, they even resodded my yard. He admired our granddaughter and would often play with her. Frankie you will be missed more than you will ever know, my friend. Rock out with our buddies in "Rock and roll heaven"
Till we meet again.

[Zeke Rivers]

Frankie Venom had a heart of gold.

Be cool 'cause he's watchin' us from up there and smilin' that "Frankie" smile.

Zeke Rivers

[ken f]

frankie...ah cannae believe yer deid
i feel very sad...for the family...for the band...for the fans
thanks for the rock'n'roll...cheers

[steve oelke]

so sorry to hear of frankie ,s passing, teenage head became well known, when i was a kid, they were upith led zep, the who, everything we listened to at that time. the band had some great songs, this was a heartbreaking loss for the hammer.all my condolances for the family and band, i also play music, im a drummer, i hope the band will try to continue with there music.

[Allan Cote]

A TRUE CANADIAN LEGEND
MY FIRST CONCERT AT 12 OR 13 (SPANKY'S IN BRAMPTON ON TEEN NIGHT)
WE GREW UP ON HIS ANTHEMS
TEENAGE BEER DRINKIN' PARTY,LETS SHAKE,SOME KINDA FUN,PICTURE MY FACE.......
LOTSSA MEMORIES
FOREVER MISSED
AND ON MY 40TH B-DAY
CHEERS FRANK

[Nora]

I have been going to see Teenage Head for years. As a Niagara Falls native, I used to come up to Hamilton area to see them or love to see them when they were down in my area. I moved to Burlington this year and had two last chances to see TH, at Lezley's Chaps and The Friendship Festival in Fort Erie. And both shows were fab as always.

My prayers go out to the Kerr family, the band, Dolph and everyone else who's life Frankie touched. I will miss him very much and seeing him on stage, an amazing musician to say the least, TH forever!

[PB]

Thank you for some of my favourite memories Frank!! Around 1980 I saw you play live at Seneca College in TO. Your energy had everyone so wild and chaotic that after your hurricane left, the dean had your band banned from our college!! But, in true Frankie style you came back to play for us again under the name "Ice Water". The dean was the only one who didn't know it was you playing, until the day after. I was lucky to see you both times.
Rock on, bro! I never danced like that before or since.

[Rey from Cherryville BC]

Frankie and the Head were awesome in concert... Saw em' many times in the bad old good ole' days. They had presence and Frankie sure was that! He kicked ass--the Canadian Iggy Pop! Yes CBC should make a movie on the band and yes there are stories! I used to be a sound guy & lighting guy. We had tons of laughs and many "fun" times! So much fun I had to retreat to Lotus Land!

[Patsy]

I was 16 at HeatWave & someone said, "The Clash won't be here, but Teenage Head will be". I didn't have a clue, but was told to keep an eye on the singer..."he has rubber legs" they said. And he did. The antics entertained and the music won my heart. I went back for more, at least 40 times over the next 27 years...and though my life changed drastically over that time... the antics still entertained and the music still won my heart. A big part of my past and a musical pioneer have been lost. Frankie, you're irreplaceable...you'll be missed.

[DQ]

Great to see that hometown(and Canada) get behind this music icon and his mates
they influenced a lot of people everywhere
'NOW' people are finally opening there
eyes to it
sad, someone couldn't have helped him when he really needed it
(not handing him another 'blue' or a smoke)
some punks are beyond help 'Crazy Scotsmen'
He was the true rock and roll punk from day one !!
condolences to those who loved him
Frankie will live forever through his music
shouldn't someone be writing a book here ?
DQ

[S.N in Bradford]

I had the pleasure of seeing the band a few times in the last few years...

i would love to have seen a movie on his life.
(i could only imagine the stories)

[Ruth M.]

I was very sad to hear about Frankie's passing at such a young age. I was the publicist for Teenage Head from 1983-1987. Dave Rave had temporarily replaced Frankie as lead singer so I never actually worked with Frankie. He certainly was a legend and I know it was difficult for Dave having to take his place for a few years. But Dave, Gord and Steve rose to the occasion and kept performing and touring and creating albums. During Frankie's absence you could sense how much the guys missed him. I saw Frankie play live with the band when he came back on the scene. What a personality and talent! He will definitely be missed in music history. I wish all of the guys and their family's the best and good health to everyone.

[Amanda]

Teenage Head was the first concert I ever went to - it was a small show, like 250-300 people, but nobody gave a f*ck cause it was Teenage Head.

You'll be missed, bro. Thanks dude.
♥

[Greig Blake]

You did it all and you did it your way. I lost 25% of my friends when you went. You won the race. Don't worry though, I'm not far behind. See you soon.

[Cary Auwaerter]

First I want to send my condolences to Franie's famiy, his band mates and anyone who like me will miss him. I was driving home from work on Wednesday when I heard Dave Bookman on CFNY say that Frankie Venom had passed away. I felt like I was punched in the stomach. I will never forget seeing Teenage Head perform at the Ontario Place Forum. I think I was in grade 10. It was June of 1980. It was undoubtedly the best concert I have ever seen. Absolute mayhem. I haven't seen them perform in years. Probably last time was at the Key to Bala 20 years ago. What an incredible loss. Frantic City is still one of my top 5 albums of all time.

Frankie, you will be sadly missed.

[Jack]

Thanks Frankie for some great memories.
Remember some great house parties with
the first or second album cranked on the turntable.
I also had a chance to enjoy the band live in Halifax in late '82 or early '83 while I
was in the Navy, and had a great time.
My condolences to family and friends.

[J. Holden]

Such sad news. Hamilton and Canada's music scene has lost a true icon. Teenage Head were right up there with the Ramones when I started listening to "punk rock" (!) Frankie was the soundtrack to my high school years and when I got to McMaster Radio (CFMU), Teenage Head was often on my turntable. Somehow I missed seeing them live over all those years until the summer of 2007 at Burlington's Sound of Music Festival. Frankie did not disappoint. He sounded great, the band was tight, and I was genuinely surprised by how many songs I remembered. Frankie even sang "Something on my Mind" prefaced by a disclaimer "I always hated this song!" I am SO glad I went to that concert in Spencer Smith Park.

Those of us at the CFMU 30th Anniversary reunion last night were thinking of Frankie. Condolences to his family and friends...and of course his many, many fans.

[DAWN]

Frankie was one of my best friends-we had kismet-we hung out together (along with Steve, Brownie and his nemisis, Rita...). He was the most generous (my kitchen table and chairs are from him), witty, neat (his bed was always made) person who loved and cared about people. And he could cook.
He took a shining to my son, Elliot, who he called E.T.. He played pool with Elliot in our basement many times- last year when the band was playing at Festival of Friends he called my son up to the stage (Elliot was too embarrassed and left). I hired him and his friend Steve to do handywork at my house and the first thing I would have to do is feed him (while on the clock). He loved to vaccum.

We partied-he had a quiet wildness about him and he made my laugh.

When I would knock on his door he would answer LOUDLY "F--- OFF"; then open the door.

He was crazy about the Maple Leafs.

For the last five years we were very close-we never so much as kissed. Boy, does he have some stories about girls and bands.

I never realized how huge Teenage Head was (I lived in the U.S. for the 70's & 80's). We were just "partners in crime" and my heart cracked when he died-he never told me he was sick.

I wouldn't have missed him for the world.

Check out HAMILTON MAGAZINE-spring, 2008-he on the cover.

[Jen Hill]

Wow, still so hard to believe..we love you frankie and i hope you realized how many fans you truly have..the heavens just gained someone truly amazing..my deepest sympathies go out to the rest of Teenage Head, the Kerr family and the many fans who have lost a truly talented performer..never forgotten...forever missed...rest in peace Frankie..heaven will be a rockin'..thanks for giving us so many fun memories...you will never be forgotten..your fans will make sure of that..thanks Frankie..for giving us your all and more..

[shannon & wayne]

We are at a feeling of great loss.All the fantastic memories Frankie has created for us.G.P. grumpy's,hangin' out havin' a beer.Watching him perform there.And of course all our fantasic festivals!That Frankie rocked so wickedly!The way he got people on stage.Ya that was me jumpin around.You couldn't help but dance,no matter how sick or down of a day..he'd make you forget.All the way back to performing Niagara Falls city hall.LONG AGO.THANKS FRANKIE WE WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH!THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES THAT MY HUSBAND AND I AQUIRED AS YOU ENTERTAINED US,PRICELESS...AND PHENOMINAL..

[scott boynton]

Southern ontario/canadian legends
Far & away without question the coolest badass rock-a-billy PUNK rock band canada will ever produce. Day oners of the scene fronted by lifetime true blue PUNK original
Frankie.I have been a fan since 1979 and have turned alot of people on to the head.
Last show i went to was in toronto at the
rio on danforth ave june 1996 i still have the ticket stub in my frantic city cassete
tape,any way after the show 2:30 am was outside front doors talking with the then drummer who's name escapes me,he told me how Nick Stepanitz (orig. drummer) was his hero,i said pretty cool to replace your hero etc.talked about frankie,he said come on down & meet him,me & my buddy went down into rios basement,shook his hand,then Frankie started rippin into the sheepish looking manager,"we helped you sell 10,000
dollars worth of beer & we can't even have one ourselfs now"? Even though bar was closed he did end up getting his beer,as
was befitting a legend who as time passes
will be appreciated more & more by those who lived it with him,fans,music historians,
& future generations.
Both ends burnin til thee end,that was Frankie!