Action ‘73 - - Heartbeat - It’s A Love Beat, The DeFranco Family Featuring Tony DeFranco

Airdate: October 27, 1973
Once a month, in the ‘73-‘74 season of American Bandstand, Dick Clark would do an outdoor special called “Action” which replaced that week’s episode of Bandstand. “Action ‘73/‘74” was taped on the beaches near Malibu and Leo Carillo, CA. This episode aired nearly 3 months before the DeFranco’s appearance on “Jack Benny‘s 2nd Farewell Special” (January 24, 1974) shown elsewhere on YT.
“Heartbeat…” is at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 today and will peak at #3 in 3 weeks.
The DeFranco family were discovered by the editor of “Tiger Beat” magazine while living in Welland, Ontario, Canada. If you were a fan of Donny Osmond and/or Tony DeFranco and read “Tiger Beat” in 1973, you were in luck. Both teen idols were on the cover every month from May through the end of the year. Aboot 35 years later another teenager from Ontario made it big in the U.S. - Justin Bieber from Stratford.
Brought to you by ‪@jthyme7940‬ Thank you Gary!
Thank you for watching and keep on truckin’ you jive turkeys!

[@toddbonin6926]

Oh can we please turn back time so I can relive this period of my life and appreciate it more?

[@birdsfan57]

Yes! My sentiments exactly!

[@TheJleliot]

I hear ya. High school class of 77

[@tameramares5785]

Yes please!!!

[@Alshe1221]

Please please!!!!

[@wombatwilly1002]

Ditto!!

[@ritagail4559]

I was so madly in love with Tony as a teenager now I'm 62 and still listen to him and it takes me back to a awesome time of my life ❤❤❤

[@ricktraficanti2673]

U don’t want to go back car wreck

[@jeanthree]

My wall was cover with Elvis Donnie Michael Tony etc. Now I am 59. My heart goes to Dr Chris Brown of Vondi vet Australia he's not a singer he just fixes helpless little kitties and doggies..

[@maria7689]

I was like 6-7 years old when this song became popular and I didn’t know what they looked like. I can see why the girls liked Tony.

[@puppycat58]

I was 15 when this song 🎵 came out...loved it then love it now in 2024 ❤

[@bellbottomblues131]

Me too!

[@howardkaye8779]

I was born in 1973 but I will still say that the music of today can't hold a candle to the music of yesterday!

[@Tomes23]

I remember 73 like it was yesterday. A fun, carefree time.

[@jademusic1211]

I was 8 years old then, and remember hearing this song on the radio and buying Tiger Beat often. I truly miss the simplicity of these times.😞💔

[@michellepost3098]

I was age 12, in 7th grade, when this song was new. Sometimes 1973 seems 100 years ago. Always loved this song.

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

Same here, I had a jacket exactly like his. I wish I could go back and live then, before the gas crisis.

[@daviddavis744]

Back when music was clean and life was good.

[@jodiburnett6211]

Nino DeFranco was my manager at Big Valley Music in the mid-80’s. Nicest guy ever. Nino would buy special heating pads for his old cat and was always talking about his sweet wife. And then I ran into him at Fox Studios where he worked as a tech. Great to see this. We tortured poor Nino with this song at the music store 🤙🏼😎

[@lauranathan1618]

Just to go back just for one day with my 7 year old self. Tiger Beat and Teen Beat Magazines in hand. A container of PEZ and awesome music! You knocked this one out of the park Aaron!

[@apfelprincess45]

I loved Tiger Beat and when this song came out I was 9 and had my little transistor radio permanently glued to my ear in case it came on the radio. Tony De Franco was so cute!!

[@apfelprincess45]

I just found this on youtube : Heartbeat it’s a Lovebeat 50 years later, watch it, hilarious as posted by Tony DeFranco singing along to his song 50 years later in his car. It's a classic.

[@video198712]

This song brings back to my childhood. the 70's and 80's had the best music

[@tammyscott3706]

Ahh, Tiger Beat magazine!! Had pictures from that magazine plastered all over my bedroom! Shawn Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Donny Osmond, etc!! Awesome memories. Loved Tony DeFranco too and this video makes me smile!! ❤❤

[@vickibotdorf]

I wish they were still performing today!

[@BeliaLastes]

Wow this is nostalgia from 73 my older sister had this 45 RPM and she had Tony's posters on her Wall

[@VideoSpecialtiesLa]

My older sister had Donny Osmond posters all over her room

[@rufflesstone6083]

I seen Tony and the Defranco Family when I was 12 and now 63 still a fan❤

[@nuwavedave]

In the '70s, I used to hang out at a local Encino,CA music store called Beechler's, where Nino DeFranco worked. My lead guitarist also worked there, so I got to know the whole family. At this point in there career, the DeFanco Family were playing state fairs and amusement parks. Benny would come down and all of us would jam. Occassionally, Tony would make an appearance, and Marisa and Merlina would often bring Nino his lunch. They were the nicest family. Gary Busey used to practically live at Beechler's before becoming a movie star with "The Buddy Holly Story". Those were such fun times.

[@hippiepeace8614]

My lastname is Beechler

[@Kmcdnrn94]

I’m 62 now and still remember every word like it was yesterday!

[@scottburton9701]

Fondly remember this song!

[@AmericanBandstandAgain]

Ah, the Defranco's from my home country. I remember them well. Tony Defranco is now a very successful real estate guy in Los Angeles.

[@yossarian6799]

Their hometown: Port Colborne, Ontario!

[@AmericanBandstandAgain]

@@yossarian6799 Yup

[@georgebalko2593]

The first song on the radio when I started college in September 1973. Still love it.

[@dannydougin3925]

Some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. Hard to believe Benny is now 68!

[@birdsfan57]

Where the heck did the years go?! I was 16 at the time this aired and remember it like it was yesterday. At the time, Tony DeFranco was being "pushed" as a Donny Osmond "knock off". Though he and his family attained some level of popularity, and a solid hit with this song, their longevity didn't last as long as the Osmond family. So refreshing to see the Action dancers in the background looking so healthy, slim and genuinely seeming to have a great ole' time. Much like all of their "peers" on the East Coast, me included. Fun, memorable times without the technology, the tatoos, and the crazy, up-side down world that we currently must navigate to the best of our "aging" abilities. By the way, some of the Action episodes featuring the show's "house band", The Heywoods (before they became Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods of " Billy, Don't Be A Hero" fame), are also fun to see.

[@birdsfan57]

@@yossarian6799 Me too... better single than their massive hit. Great, talented, humble group of guys, who should have had a much longer career than they did.

[@user-ll1xd7uh6c]

Catchy Tune 😊

[@TakaiAkita]

Dear Aaron - many many thanks for this nice video and music.

[@mrob75]

This was the era when I was buying 45s left and right with my allowance money….Including this hit that I played the grooves out of ! And at one time I had as much hair as Tony does here…Now, well…Not so much…ha!

[@wombatwilly1002]

Every Friday I got $2 allowance and headed right up to the hardware store to buy that week's number one 45. 😊

[@cynthiapickett8577]

Love his studded jacket (slightly younger than Tony DeFranco, I had a couple of those myself); almost forgot about this revival of Where the Action Is.

[@cindyyeager4532]

Love this song great memories

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Me too. Memories of the Marine Corps and missing my cute girlfriend back home.

[@georgedecargouet2807]

This song came out around three years after I was born. I heard it one time on the radio in my mom’s ford pinto on the way to the beach. Really great song which brings back memories. Tony is very likely in his sixties by now. Great song🤩

[@keile513]

Can’t hold back any longer!☺️ such sweet memories

[@ScottRandolph-dd7dr]

🎉 greetings from coastal Mississippi. I remember this from 50 years ago. Thanks for the memories 😂❤

[@terryburns]

Tony DeFranco i think you are a great singer and i wish you were still singing. You are Great you really are.

[@briva]

The 11 year old girl in me squealed in delight! This just made my day!

[@robinparr88]

I wish I could bring the s '70s back just for one day

[@puppycat58]

Absolutely ❤

[@MarisaFrasure]

Me, too....my mom, cousins Tammy and Gregory, brother James....all gone now...

[@patd4317]

I have watched this so many times. I wish I could have been there. Loved the Defranco family then and love them now. I really love their music. 🎵 Also, Tony was so cute and still is. ❤

[@apfelprincess45]

Have never seen this clip on the beach, thanks for posting!

[@dancerdon9175]

Great AV quality. Thanks Gary for the preservation of these videotapes. Thanks Aaron for posting.

[@YCDTI]

Hi Don! I know this was at the end of your time on AB, but do you know if they recruited the AB dancers to dance on this show?

[@thruthealcove]

@@YCDTI Hey Aaron, I know that Debbie Chaffin & Louie Novoa danced on Action, along with some other AB regulars & Soul Train moonlighters. I wouldn't be surprised if my girl Joann Orgel danced on there as well.

[@thruthealcove]

Hey Don! Did you get the chance to dance on an ep of Action? Just like Aaron said, I know you were almost out of the DC world at that point.

[@YCDTI]

@@thruthealcove thank you Kevin. I think you’re right - they were all on or very close to being on Bandstand by now. I didn’t spot any of them here, but it’s kind of hard to see the dancers.

[@dancerdon9175]

@@YCDTI Most of the dancers we’re connected to Bandstand. Robin and I did just one Action in 1973. Wonder if the full episode exists. It was the episode that featured Marie Osmond singing “Paper Roses” seated on a fan-back wicker chair. I was wearing yellow Everlast-type shorts. There were always plenty of onlookers at these tapings so if “fillers” were needed they could join in the taping. PS: it was cold that day. The fog didn’t lift until around noonish. Brrrr

[@leonardhill4440]

They’re so good that they don’t even need to plug their guitars in when they play.

[@Me-je2uw]

They learned that trick of not having to plug in their guitars from watching an early performance by The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show! They apparently didn't have to play any drums, either. It must have truly been their heartbeats!!! Great song and memories!!!

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

I remember this song.... Memories of being in the Marine Corps. He had some cute sisters. Semper Fi

[@peachtree891]

I love this song 💞

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

Me too. I was in the United States Marine Corps, missing my cute girlfriend back home, when this was a hit. Semper Fidelis

[@yossarian6799]

@@usmc-veteran73-77 I was a first-grader at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic school and this was our favorite song. This and "Delta Dawn" ...

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

@Yossarian67 1st grader... I feel old, I had just turned 18 yrs old. I remember Delta Dawn... Tanya Tucker. Stay safe and greetings from Charleston, West Virginia.

[@rokyericksonroks]

Bib overalls clashing with the leisure suit, …still, cute enough to make it work.

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

@Roky Erickson rocks I remember the Leisure suits when I returned from Okinawa back in 1975. My Dad wore them... NOT me. Stay safe and Semper Fi from an old Marine Sergeant.

[@bradsense7431]

This was not what I was listening to at that time. But it is a nice piece of footage for those that did and cool seeing the clothing styles of the time. I also wore my share of bib overalls and actually still do have pair I wear doing yardwork.

[@diannemc3179]

YAY. The Good Old 70’s👍 Love this song.

[@gregmoore7709]

Thank you Aaron .Something new with a song i forgot about and the group. I enjoyed your time....

[@annahshoffner1871]

Had just started My Freshman Year of High School ‼️

[@fantasyprincessgirl]

Such a fun song!😊

[@judd442009]

YCDTI: You're on your way to 100,000 subscribers--less than 9,000 away. You'll be there before 2023.

[@GringoLoco1]

DC rocking the seizure suit! 😉

[@AdrianDeVore]

I vaguely remember this song but the DeFranco Family was very popular.

[@jthyme7940]

And, of course, I had a little crush on the girl with the long, straight hair. *sigh*

[@gregmoore7709]

You should be proud of your great taste in gals!!!!

[@kevingoins9858]

I remember the summer Action series. Great way for DC to expand the WTAI Franchise. Favorite clip - Blue Magic performing "Sideshow" on a slab of plexiglass to show off their smooth choreography

[@thruthealcove]

Wow, so cool to see another full performance from Action! I've seen a snippet of them performing this on AB, but this was quite the treat. Couldn't really make out who some of the dancers were, but it looks like good fun in the sun energy here. Thanks so much for this Aaron & Gary & hope to see more from these Action specials so I can be an analyzing geek! Lol

[@loriannperry5302]

I was and still totalpl in love. All albums sghned so cute!!!!!

[@JaniceBakerRD]

The fashion was everything!

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello 👋 how're you doing?

[@user-en4rq4go2q]

To many memories good and bad moments but life was so simple

[@teresaglaros9457]

I truly love tony DeFranco family love them and their music ❤️

[@jeanthree]

Tony did resemble Donnie Osmond. Trust me when I say this I had a crush on both posters decorated my walls with both of them

[@catherineerwin8269]

Omg! The 11 year girl deep inside is screaming! I loved Tony Defranco & his family. I would buy Tiger Beat etc for news about them & other pop singers of the time. Tony was so cute but still couldn’t beat David Cassidy for my devotion. 😂 Today Tony Defranco is a very successful real estate mogul & on social media. Btw, was this Action series a revival of the 60’s show? I don’t remember seeing it.. Thank you Aaron for this video!

[@Curly34584]

Great Memories👍

[@AutisticSince1957]

If we can't solve the mystery of the missing AB tapes from my high school years this will have to do. Dick Clark that Leisure Suit(LOL). Thank you

[@carlahubbs8833]

Still a great song today.

[@anthonydanes1610]

Music still had style! And every beat is a memory! By the 80's it was phasing out!

[@anytimejammin-eva]

I used love this song! And still singin it today! He's such a cutie! The war was on back in the day with this song and Abracadabra (the album is great too! For the bubble gum crowd) For the fans, it was a challenge finding the space on our walls for all those posters from Tiger Beat and 16 magazines. (among others) Move over Donny O and David Cassidy (to name a few) there's a new kid (hottie) in town! Tony! LOL Thanks for the video!

[@briansullivan1050]

Its kind of a cheesy song, but its still popular 50 years later. Tony DeFranco must have been loving life during the early 70s. The girls were gorgeous and it was a really good time to be alive.

[@denisemarie6029]

What a little dork, I was!! I loved loved this song when I was 9-10 years old. 😂

[@tinasally379]

@@denisemarie6029 STILL a fun song (you are not alone 😁)

[@tonycollazorappo]

the 50s, 60s and 70s was a GREAT time to be a kid and alive, I was born in 1961 and miss these times. Dang to go back again.

[@williamjones6276]

Well The DeFranco Family rode this "cheesy song" all the way to Pop Star status with a stop off at the Bank during the mid 70s.

[@briansullivan1050]

@William Jones; Just because I said the song was cheesy doesn’t mean I disliked it. It’s cheesy because it’s “bubblegum “ and generally appealing to preteens and infatuated girls. Would that have been you? Also, they weren’t set for life financially because this song did well. All of them had to find jobs and make due just like most everyone else. Maybe you should think before you make a post and take an unnecessary dig at a virtual stranger. It’s just pointless.

[@jackieyu4787]

Oh my I just went back in time. Tigerbeat

[@geneWebb-uh5fg]

Can you believe this is 50 years ago OMG and now Tony is 63 where has all the time gone??😢

[@tonysloan892]

Cheesy song?? This was THE #1 best selling single of 1973, 3 million Physical copies sold.

[@Tom53Tech]

I turned 20 that spring ....

[@charlenewilson1024]

Flip side was good, I played that 45 at least a hundred times or so.❤

[@judd442009]

I don't remember these Action specials -- were they based on the old WTAI program? Were there Action dancers? Look at Dick's bellbottoms leisure suit! It's the first (and may only) time that I can remember DC without a tie!!

[@birdsfan57]

The 70's "Action" shows were a reboot of the 60's Summer "Where The Action Is" series. Both evoke fond memories for those of us who remember both!

[@darrylh1971]

Hope there's more Action 1973-1974 performance clips.

[@tapoemt3995]

I thank God I was born in 72 and cannot recall anyone in those bell bottoms..

[@robinparr88]

Beautiful family!

[@Sally-lm1fd]

Hi to😮 tony I just love you

[@shyman99]

Love the 70s Action videos and hope you will post more!

[@serserov8402]

Верните меня в 73 год!)))

[@stevieg7672]

Thank you Aaron for posting all of these wonderful clips!! I’m glad we still have plenty of clips from the early-mid 1970s Dick Clark Productions programs. By any chance, do you have the full episodes from July 1972 (Micheal Jackson show) and November 1973 (Steely Dan show) of “American Bandstand”?

[@YCDTI]

I'm afraid I don't have either one, but I'd to share it if I did. It's my pleasure Stevie G. Glad you liked it.

[@horrido666]

I remember when this hit. I was in Chicago, 11 years old. I think that was the year my bike got stolen.

[@sickagain7541]

HELLO MARISSA!. YOU WERE MY FIRST CHILDHOOD CRUSH. STILL CRUSHING FOR YOU!!!!.

[@harding0010]

I wish the Maak Singer would have a season of teen idols.

[@Kmcdnrn94]

Oh those seafarer jeans!

[@marysimpson3172]

Omg so aweso me takes me to a great time in a girls life

[@jj3164]

I enjoyed this era twice. As a kid in the 70s, and in the early 90s at CLUB 1970 in LA. They played ONLY 70s music...all night.

[@deanwilson5767]

73 was a great year for me. I was born again and met my Lord's savior Jesus Christ thank you Jesus.

[@hoopjo12345]

WOW

[@gregmoore7709]

Hey Aaron hope your family has a GREAT SAFE THANKSGIVING and TOIT family the same...

[@YCDTI]

Thank you Greg. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well.

[@bubbaschwartz]

What't the matter Dick Clark estate can't upload a better copy?

[@1amazingj]

I don't know why I don't remember this group. I watched American Bandstand every week.

[@Evyeve6582]

Who was the lucky lady that snagged this cutie! 😊

[@LoveShackSarah88]

The sisters are dressed like Minions 😂

[@chrissullivan4496]

Grease will Clog up your drain

[@CarlTMontano]

I was a teenager in the 70s when the DeFranco family came on the scene I wonder what he is doing these days

[@DomFalance]

So there was Bandstand alternating with Soul Unlimited and then this. Was Dick that desperate to avoid paying Mike Curb royalties? ;)

[@JuanReyes-cl2in]

Who else is here because of K-BILLY SUPER SOUND OF THE 70s WEEKEND ?

[@57highland]

A mixed version of the Osmond Brothers.

[@pallen49]

The sisters were so dang cute...

[@richardsypniewski9279]

Where's the drummer? 🤷🥁😆

[@borri68]

From 1:24 to 1:35 it's just like the music from an episode of the tv show CHiP's

[@jeanthree]

Poor Tony & family dress in those heavy clothing when everyone is in their swimming gear.

[@LouisRamos-ib4nz]

Always had a crush on Marisa!but I was only 16!the sister with the straight hair!

[@wifeoftim]

I hate that album and I was kissing Tony's face! Such memories of my childhood!

[@gumwrapper7042]

I can watch this now, but I was so tired of the song by the end of summer 1973. My good friend (she wasn't my best friend) lived across the street and said she was "in love" with Tony DeFranco. Sure, my hormones were just starting to kick in at age 10, but I thought he was just ok. The DeFrancos were on several Tiger Beat magazines. I had a preference for Nino, who I thought was very cute. Then, as now, I can't help but wonder if the older siblings were resentful of Tony. He was the front man. Did they get tired of performing the song a thousand times and doing the same dance? Must not have, since the record sold millions. A few years ago, I saw Tony DeFranco on a documentary about teen idols in the 60s and 70s. He is such a hottie now. I just didn't see it in 1973.

[@rolly1496]

Whatcha out Donny 😏

[@4dogsgaming]

Little hard to hear those guitars when their not plugged in.. Lol