Azoreans and Madeirans brought their musical talents and style to the Hawaiian Islands. Frank Ferreira brought the steel guitar to Hawaii and the United States.
Big Musical Dreams
Frank Ferreira (aka Frank Ferera) was born 12 Jun 1885 in Honolulu to Frank and Maria Ferreira. He spent his childhood in Honolulu.
He was a talented musician and had dreams of pursuing music as a career. His dream would influence a generations by introducing them to the steel guitar.
The steel guitar first appeared on the scene in Hawaii in the 1880s. It is unknown who invented the steel guitar, but it soon became an important part of Hawaiian music history.
Frank Puts His Stamp On The Music World
Hawaiian music was first recorded as early as the 1890s, but was virtually unknown outside of Hawaii until after 1900. It’s popularity rose during World War I.
Many American artists later took up the ukelele and steel guitar. Frank Ferreira played a part in bringing Hawaiian music to the rest of the United States.
Frank was a gifted steel guitarist and knowledgeable in Hawaiian music as well as other forms. Around 1905, Frank decided to seek his fame and fortune in the music business. According to one source, he left Hawaii in 1914 to be a part of the Panama Pacific Exhibit held in San Francisco.
Frank’s recording debut was in September 1915 on an early Edison recording. He performed for Edison under the name “Palakiko Ferreira” and lead “Palakiko’s Hawaiian Orchestra”. In December 1916, Frank was featured on the cover of “Edison Photograph Monthly.”
Mixing Family Life And A Musical Career
Frank married more than once. His first wife was Eva Perkins. They were divorced soon after and he remarried to Helen Greenus.
He and Helen performed as a vaudeville act called “Helen Louise and Frank Ferrera”. You can hear Frank and Helen perform Hawaiian Portuguese Tango on Wikipedia.
Although they benefitted from the growing popularity of Hawaiian music, they performed all types of music.
In July 1915, the couple made their recording debut with Columbia.
His Wife Vanishes
Tragedy struck four years later. In December 1919, the couple was on a ship travelling from Los Angeles to San Francisco. On that voyage, Helen disappeared, her body never was recovered. She was 32 years old.
Frank continued performing after Helen’s death. He went on to manage the “Waikiki Hawaiian Orchestra”.
In the 1920s, he was a member of the “Hawaiian Trio”. He also worked as a soloist on the recordings of other performers. Frank continued to record until 1933.
In his career he made hundreds of recordings. Some of these recording survive today on various CD compilations. Artist’s from the 1920s and later attribute their interest in the steel guitar to Frank Ferreira.
Giving Marriage Another Shot
Frank married a third time. His third wife was named Ruth. Frank and Ruth had two children together: Mary and Frank Ferreira III.
Frank died 26 Jun 1951. Among his achievements, he is credited with introducing Hawaiian steel guitar to United States audiences. He is a member of the Royal Hawaiian Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.
Sources:
Ferera, Helen Louise
Frank Ferera: Hawaiian Guitar Pioneer
© 2003 Melody Lassalle
enjoyed your article and memories of his sweet music. Yes I listened to Pop play in his kitchen, in South Ozone Park New York where he retired. Yes I am Frank Ferreira IV. and still have many of his original records.
great to hear about my grandfather. I can remember him playing in his kitchen in Ozne Park New York I stil l have many old 33rpm records of Pop in my attic. I heard all the stories about Pop from my dad and Aunt Mary. Frank Ferreira of Virginia Beach.