[1] He entered the United States Coast Guard during World War II and played in a band on Ellis Island with Al Haig and Kai Winding.

During this time he wrote the music and lyrics to "Detour Ahead",[1] which has been recorded by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Bill Evans, and Carola.

Chicago jazz vocalist Erin McDougald recorded the song 50 years later on her album The Auburn Collection (2004).

Between 1951 and 1960 he played fiddle hoedowns and novelties with the Sage Riders, the house band for the WLS radio program National Barn Dance.

Frigo is credited as playing fiddle for the track "A Rectangle Picture" on the Mason Proffit album Wanted released in 1969 on the Happy Tiger label.

His other son, Derek John Frigo, who was born to Browne, was the lead guitarist for the rock band Enuff Z'nuff.