| Michael Anthony Franano | |
| Origin: | Kansas City, Missouri, New York City |
| Genre: | Singer-songwriter, Rock, alternative rock, acoustic, pop rock |
| Years Active: | 1984–present |
| Label: | Columbia, Epic, Mutiny, Warner Bros., Sire |
| Associated Acts: | The Front, Bakers Pink, Michael Moon |
Michael Anthony Franano (born 1964) is an American rock singer/songwriter and musician known for his work in the hard rock and alternative genres.[1]
In 1989–90, Michael Anthony Franano achieved commercial success as singer/songwriter of The Front, a band originally from Kansas City, Missouri. After the CBS release of their self-titled album, and single, Fire reached number 29 on the Billboard Rock charts.[2] He has since released two more albums. The first was after The Front changed their name to Bakers Pink and released a self-titled album on Epic Records in 1993.[3] He released a solo album in 1998 on Mutiny Records (Warner/Sire) under the name Michael Moon. The Michael Moon Band (credited as Michael Moon/El Flamingo Band[4]) had a cameo appearance in the Woody Allen / Miramax film, Celebrity, performing the single Chanel No. 5 in a club scene while Kenneth Branagh dances with Charlize Theron. Michael is also credited for writing, composing and performing the music on Lynn's Wake, an independent film and Winner of the Best Short Screenplay in the Atlantic City Film Festival in 1999,[5] [6] as well as writing songs featured in the television shows Party of Five and Melrose Place. Michael continues to write and record and is currently working on new material.
| Year | Album (artist) | US | RIAA certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Front (The Front)[7] | 118[8] | – |
| 1993 | Bakers Pink (Bakers Pink)[9] | – | – |
| 1998 | You (Michael Moon)[10] | – | – |
| 2012 | The Front Live in New York City 1990 (The Front)[11] | – | – |
| Year | Single (artist) | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Main Rock | UK | ||
| 1989 | Fire (The Front) | – | 29 | – |
| 1990 | Le Motion (The Front) | – | – | – |
| 1993 | Watercolours (Bakers Pink) | – | – | – |
| 1998 | Chanel No. 5 (Michael Moon) | – | – | – |