Born in Detroit, Michigan, in a family that included brothers Russell and Gasper, Rosolino studied the guitar with his father starting at age 9. Frank took up the trombone at age 14, and graduated from Miller High School, while playing in the Cass Tech Symphony Orchestra, a fine music program that also produced Donald Byrd. Following service in the U.S. Army's 86th Division during World War II, he played with the big bands of Bob Chester, Glen Gray, Tony Pastor, Herbie Fields, and Gene Krupa. He became famous during a stint in the most popular of Stan Kenton's progressive big bands, (1952-1954), and settled in Los Angeles, where he worked with everybody in the business: Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars (1954-1960), Terry Gibbs, Shorty Rogers, Benny Carter, Buddy Rich, Dexter Gordon, Carl Fontana, Jean "Toots" Thielmans, Stan Levey, Shelly Manne, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Knight, Conte Candoli, Med Flory, Donn Tremmer, Mel Tormé, Louis Bellson, Marty Paich, Zoot Sims, Quincy Jones, and Tutti Camarata. He attempted to maintain his popularity in the 1970s through high-profile associations with non-jazz bands, including Tower of Power and Brass Machine, but most fans remember this period in his career through his association with Med Flory's Supersax.
Frank's third wife, and the mother of their two sons, committed suicide in February 1972 in Los Angeles, California, and he was overheard telling his girlfriend that her suicide forced him to contemplate his own death. He died in 1978 in Van Nuys, California, committing suicide after shooting both sons, Justin, 9, and Jason, 7, his only children. Jason survived, blinded, and was adopted by his mother's cousin, Claudia Eien, and her husband Gary.
The International Trombone Association established its first award for jazz trombone in Frank's memory, and he continues to be remembered as one of the greatest jazz trombone players of all time.
Pennies From Heaven
Frank Rosolino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you know each cloud contains pennies from heaven?
You'll find your fortune's fallin' all over the town
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love, you must have showers
So, when you hear it thunder, don't run under a tree
Every time, every time it rains, it's gonna rain pennies from heaven
Don't you know every cloud contains lots of pennies from heaven
You'll find your fortune's fallin', baby, all over the town
Be sure, be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love, you've got to have showers
So, when you hear it thunder, don't run under a tree
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me
The lyrics of Frank Rosolino's song "Pennies from Heaven" expresses the idea that one can find wealth in unexpected places, even in the midst of hardship. The singer highlights the idea that every time it rains, it is a reminder that one can find pennies from heaven. The notion that every cloud contains pennies suggests that there is always wealth around, even in times of scarcity. The chorus encourages the listener to collect these pennies by overturning their umbrella, so that their fortune can rain down on them.
The verse then goes on to explain how these pennies can be traded for a package of sunshine and flowers. This presents the idea that the pennies, representing wealth, can be used to attain the good things in life. It stresses the importance of hard work and experiencing hardship in order to appreciate the good things in life. The final verse concludes with the idea that, when one hears the thunder, they should not run under a tree. Instead, they should keep their umbrella open and let the rain of pennies fall on them. The song paints a picture of a world of endless possibilities, where wealth can come from unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time it rains, it rains pennies from heaven
Whenever it rains, goodness comes from above.
Don't you know each cloud contains pennies from heaven?
It's a well-known fact that clouds have riches hidden for us.
You'll find your fortune's fallin' all over the town
Fortune will fall on you from unexpected places.
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Be prepared to receive gifts, even if they come from the most unexpected sources.
Trade them for a package of sunshine and flowers
Use your blessings to add beauty and happiness to life.
If you want the things you love, you must have showers
In order to get what you desire, sometimes you have to face adversity.
So, when you hear it thunder, don't run under a tree
Don't avoid challenges but learn to deal with them head-on.
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me
We will all receive blessings, as long as we keep an open mind and heart.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Arthur Johnston, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind