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.
That Old Black Magic
Frank Rosolino Lyrics
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Old black magic that you weave so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
Same old tingle that I feel inside
Then the elevator starts it ride
Down and down I go
Like a leaf caught in a tide
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name and I'm a flame
Flame, flame of desire
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Oh you're the lover I have waiting for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
In a spin lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
In a spin lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
I should stay away but what can I do
I hear your name and I'm a flame
Flame, flame of desire
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Oh you are the lover I have waited for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Down and down I go
Round and round I go
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
Under the old black magic called love
The lyrics to Frank Rosolino's "That Old Black Magic" describe the overwhelming feeling of being under the spell of love. The imagery of icy fingers up and down the spine and being in a spin liken love to a kind of magical power that can be both thrilling and dangerous. The repetition of the phrase "down and down I go, round and round I go" emphasizes the sense of being pulled deeper into this spell without any control. The singer recognizes that they should stay away, but cannot resist the spell that their lover casts. The chorus emphasizes the intensity of the feeling of desire and how only their lover's kiss can satisfy it.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea of love as a powerful force that can completely overtake someone, leaving them feeling helpless and swept up in its magic. The singer understands that they are fully in the grasp of this "old black magic," and cannot resist its pull.
Line by Line Meaning
Old black magic has me in its spell
I am deeply under the influence of the mysterious and inexplicable force of love
Old black magic that you weave so well
The magical power of your love is so irresistible and captivating
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
Your touch sends shivers of pleasure and excitement all over my body
The same old witch craft when your eyes meet mine
Whenever we make eye contact, I cannot resist falling under the spell of your enchanting gaze
Same old tingle that I feel inside
The familiar sensation of excitement and anticipation that I always experience whenever I am near you
Then the elevator starts it ride
The passion and intensity of our love begins to escalate rapidly
Down and down I go
I am falling deeper and deeper in love with you
Round and round I go
My emotions are swirling around and I am completely lost in this feeling
Like a leaf caught in a tide
I am helplessly carried away by the powerful force of love
I should stay away but what can I do
Although I know it might not be wise, I simply cannot resist the pull of your love
I hear your name and I'm a flame
Just the sound of your name is enough to ignite a burning desire within me
Flame, flame of desire
The intense and passionate yearning that I feel for you
Only your kiss can put out the fire
Only your love and affection can satisfy my longing and extinguish this burning desire
Oh you're the lover I have waiting for
You are the perfect partner for me and the only one I have been searching for
Your the mate that fate had me created for
I believe that destiny has brought us together and we are meant to be together
And every time your lips meet mine
The moment when our lips touch is always a blissful and unforgettable experience
In a spin, lovin' the spin I'm in
I am completely dizzy and swept off my feet by your love
Under the old black magic called love
This feeling of being under a mysterious and irresistible spell is simply the magic of love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind