About

Inspired by traditional blues artists including T Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Freddie King, Buddy Guy and many more, Frank developed his own unique style of playing at the age of 15. Shortly thereafter, Frank, along with Rich Stoy on bass, Mike Weakley on drums, and Roger Calkins singing, formed the Silver Tones. Their first performance was in the spring of 1959 at the ninth grade talent show at Indian Hills Junior High in Prairie Village, Kansas. The band's popularity developed quickly. Soon after they were playing at a variety of Kansas City Locales including the Promenade Ball Room, The Prom Coke Bar, The Chicken Coop, The Combo Club, The Flamingo Lounge and Barry's Barn. There were many other places, too numerous to name. But the most famous, and arguably the locale that made them famous, was the Soc Hop, where they were the "house band" for years to come. It was not uncommon, on Saturday night at the Soc Hop, to have twelve to fifteen hundred teenagers turn out to see the Silver Tones.

Frank wrote several songs for the Silver Tones, including Midnight Thunder. Originally titled "West Coast Walk", Midnight Thunder was Number 4 on the KUDL Top Music Survey on July 15, 1960. Frank and The Silver Tones were in good company--in the Number One Spot was Elvis Presley's Now or Never, in the Number Two spot was Roy Orbison's Only the Lonely and in Number Three was Brenda's Lees' "I'm Sorry".

Lighting struck twice, when, on January 29, 1961, Frank Plas and the Silver Tones hit the charts again at Number 18 on KUDL's Top Music Survey with "Dimples".

The original Silver Tones played together until 1963.

For the next few years, Frank continued to play local venues including the Fandango Club, featuring vocalists including Little Jimmy Griffin, Bobby Charles, Priscilla Bowman, and Ray Baretto, who later became one of James Brown's Famous Flames. He also played with guest artists including Jimmy Reed, Little Johnny Taylor, the Drifters, Little Junior Parker, and the Shirelles.

Frank is widely regarded as one of the finest guitar players in the business. If you type his name into Google, you'll find testimonials from major players regarding Frank. It is not uncommon to see him referred to as inspirational, the best, and even legendary.

Today, Frank is busy reinventing the Silver Tones. Since the Soc Hop Reunion on August 31, 2006, he's been featured on several local radio shows and played venues from Kansas City to Lawrence, working on new recordings with his schedule filling up fast. On January 13, 2007, they were inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.

"Have Guitar, Will Travel."