Posted on 11/12/2010 10:37:36 AM PST by Reaganite Republican
John Fred (b. John Fred Gourrier, 1941- 2005) was a blue-eyed soul and Cajun pop artist out of Baton Rouge, La.
and best known for the #1 hit song in the US Judy in Disguise (With Glasses).
John Fred and the Playboys formed back in 1956; their first hit single was '58's Shirley. He appeared on Alan Freed's show, but when Dick Clark asked him to sing on American Bandstand, Fred had to turn him down because he had to play in a basketball game (management/promotion aparently not his strong suit!).
Almost a decade later, Fred and band member Andrew Bernard co-wrote Judy in Disguise, whose name is a parodic play on the title of The Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". The song, issued by Louisiana-based Jewel Records on the Paula label, became hugely successful, ironically knocking another Beatles song -Hello, Goodbye- out of the #1 chart position on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in January 1968. This smash single sold over one million copies.
Although John Fred actually had a well-rehearsed and talented group honed by years on the road, now known as John Fred and his Playboy Band, he was unfortunately branded as a novelty act -and unfortunately never enjoyed another chart success. Only after years of struggles did Fred obtain full legal rights to Judy in Disguise and the attendant royalties...
John Fred and His Playboy Band: Judy in Disguise (with Glasses) 1967
More/videos/links at Reaganite Republican
Lyrics too much on this one, lol:
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Judy in disguise, well that’s what you are
Lemonade pie with a brand new car.
Cantalope eyes come to me tonight
Judy in disguise with glasses.
Keep a-wearing your bracelets and your new rara.
Cross your heart with your living bra.
Chimney sweep sparrow with guise.
Judy in disguise with glasses
Come to me tonight, come to me tonight,
Taking everything in sight,
Except for the strings on my kite.
Judy in disguise, well what you aiming for,
A circus of horrors, yeah, well that’s what you are.
You made me a life of ashes
I guess I’ll just take your glasses.
I was just thinking about this song last night.
I don't think I've thought of this song in perhaps 40 years.
You sure that next to last line isn’t
You made me the laugh of Natchez?
Nonsensical.
Now you’ll want to listen to this one. Mostly got local play here in Louisiana.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_O3gaENnYU
John Fred & His Playboy Band - Agnes English [1967-Stereo]
Oh yeah, I’d say so... he parodied their song, why not
I like it- hey, I even dig “Shirley”
And what’s up with the Ringo Starr-looking band member? Far left on the album cover. Holding some sort of inflatable, er, balloon thing.....
http://louisianamusichalloffame.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=42
John Fred Gourrier
Tom Aswell is a fellow blogger and journalist here in Louisiana. We correspond often.
Louisiana Rocks! The True Genesis of Rock and Roll
http://www.louisianarockstomaswell.com/
Knocked “hello, goodbye” off the number 1 slot. A bit ironic given the Beatle spoof lyrics.
John Fred had a great radio show for years in Baton Rouge. Wish someone would post them on a website.
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