In the 1950s there was a popular male teenage singer who, according to the stories at the time, was discovered by a music producer who saw him one night in Philadelphia watching a house fire. Without ever hearing his voice, the producer went up to the kid and offered him a contract, saying “I’m going to make you a star!” I’m blocking on the singer’s name. Does anyone know it?
Fabian is from Philly: Fabian Forte - Wikipedia
Fabian? He was from Philly, and his wiki page says he was discovered “in a neighborhood” there (largely on the basis of his looks). It doesn’t say anything about a house fire, though. Maybe it’s an apocryphal story?
Ninja’d.
James Darren is also from Philly–and was much better looking than Fabian. [Not that I’m trying to dispute the previous answers.]
Same for Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell.
Many people with actual talent are also from Philadelphia.
Reading the title, my first thought was Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes. Guess not.