by Christine Lorraine Morgan, Dec. 13, 2025 ~ NOTE: Vinny was my beloved uncle and I am creating this feature in honor of his memory. Compiled with a helping hand from my facebook friend GC68/Toby.

Born in Erie’s little Italy in 1945, Vincent Frazzini grew up the 3rd child of four, in a red brick schoolhouse from the 1800s.

He attend Erie High School, where he studied with noted artist Joseph Plavcan. Vinny began creating his own original art works right out of high school, and continued painting in oils until his passing in 1985 at age 43.

Another talent of Vinny’s also surfaced shortly out of high school, his magnificent deep, bellowing voice. He and a group of pals from the neighborhood formed a musical group, named The Fabulous Epics, and they began performing in local high schools and anywhere else they could find a booking in the early ’60s.

The Fabulous Epics were indeed so fabulous that by 1964 they had earned the coveted gig as house band at New York’s famous Peppermint Lounge.

On Feb. 9, 1964 the Beatles debuted on the Ed Sullivan Show, setting the musical world ablaze. After that performance, they took to the streets of New York in search of entertainment. They wound up in the lively Peppermint Lounge, where Erie’s Fabulous Epics were performing.

hat tip to GC68 for providing this Erie Daily Times article from April 14, 1964

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Here’s an action shot of the Fabulous Epics as they performed at Erie’s Tech Memorial High School. Vinny is front and center, rocking to the groove.

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Hear one of the rocking tunes that Vinny sang with the Fabulous Epics! Your dancing shoes will beg for a spin when they hear this early 1960s rocker, “Twist’In Shout.”

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This image shows all four Beatles with Vinny (center). It was snapped shortly after the Beatles had watched the Fabulous Epics perform at the Peppermint Lounge. The date was February 9, 1964 ~ This is where the Fab Four went to absorb some entertainment after their US debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

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Whenever Vinny came home to Erie in between tours, he visited family. Here he is with brother Joe, and nieces Christine (left, yours truly) and Laura.

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Vinny poses with his father Alfred Frazzini, mother Augustina Frazzini and grandmother Julia Onorato (right) on his graduation night.

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Titled “St. Michael the Archangel,” this brilliantly-detailed art piece was created in oil on wood in 1961 by Vinny at age 19.

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This blue ink sketch by Vincent Frazzini contains hidden messages and images cleverly worked into the artistic doodlings.

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The night before Vincent Frazzini passed, he handed a brown bag containing his two 45 records to his niece, Christine Lorraine Morgan, who had stopped by to visit him and see how he was faring. He died several hours later. Here is one of those records, from the early 1960s during their tenure at the Peppermint Lounge.

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The Epics pose with the Peppermint Lounge Dancers in NYC

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Vinny is seated with John Lennon and George Harrison at the Peppermint Lounge in Feb. 1964

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From the Erie Times News August 1975

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from the Erie Times News December 1980

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Vincent Frazzini and his little sister Mary Ann as children growing up on W. 18th Street in Erie PA’s little Italy.