Tommy Facenda

b. 10 November 1939, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Facenda became known for one single he recorded in 1959 for Atlantic Records, ‘High School USA' Facenda, nicknamed ‘Bubba', first gained a foothold in the music business in 1957 as a back-up singer for Gene Vincent. He was performing at a club in 1958 when discovered by Frank Guida (who later discovered and managed Gary ‘U.S.' Bonds). Facenda first recorded a single, ‘Little Baby', for Nasco Records in 1958, but it did not reach the charts. Guida then wrote ‘High School USA', which included the names of several schools in the sectio...