Hollywood teen idol Frankie Avalon, who starred in a string of beach party movies, swept into town in November 1965, to his fans' delight.

"It's great to be a star," he declared as he signed autographs for fans after his flight touched down on Nov 29, 1965.

He was in Singapore with actress Susan Hart to promote their latest movie, Dr Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine.

The boyish-looking actor, then in his 20s, was discovered after he won a local TV talent contest playing the trumpet.

He went on to record albums and was known for songs such as Venus, crooning lines like "Venus, if you will, please send a girl for me to thrill".

He starred in Beach Party, which became a hit after it was released in 1963. The sequels also packed in teen audiences.

At the airport, Avalon told reporters: "A star and singer has people all over the world who have heard of him and who buy his records. This is a very gratifying feeling."

He later took on small parts in movies such as Grease and Casino and appeared in 2009 in American Idol.