Freddie and the Dreamers star dies (Freddie Garrity)

CNN ^ | May 20, 2006

[lunarbicep]

British pop star Freddie Garrity, former lead singer with 1960s band Freddie and the Dreamers, has died at the age of 69.

Garrity died on Friday in hospital in North Wales, his agent said on Saturday.

His five-piece band had hits in Britain and the United States with "I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me" and "I'm Telling You Now".

Garrity, who lived in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, was on holiday with his wife Christine when he was taken to hospital.

He had been suffering from emphysema for several years and had been unable to work since 2001.

Friends paid tribute to his memory. A family friend, Eric St John-Foti, told the BBC: "He was so full of life, and full of jokes. He was exactly the same as he was on stage, he did not have two personas.

"It is a sad loss, Freddie was part of the 1960s and drew comparisons with the Beatles."

Born in Manchester, Freddie -- a former milkman -- came to prominence at the start of the British music revolution in the early 1960s and his success mirrored that of his Liverpool rivals.

But he became famous not just for his music but for his humorous approach to rock 'n' roll. His wild antics on stage and television endeared him to millions around the world.

Freddie's first single, a cover of the James Ray U.S. chart hit "If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody," gave him his first Top 10 success in the UK.

It was followed over the next two years by hits including "I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me," "Over You," "I Love You Baby" and "I Understand."

In 1965 Freddie and the Dreamers topped the U.S. charts with "I'm Telling You Now"

[lunarbicep]

"I'm Telling You Now" Freddie and the Dreamers [Feb 16 1965] video

[JennysCool]

Damn shame. And Freddie's been turning up on FR threads of late, too. RIP.

[vetvetdoug]

Freddy opened for the Beatles several times in '63. I got a picture of him with a little 110 doing his trademark dance.

[Revolting cat!]

Are those Frankie and Annette in this silly video?

It's not a bad record, and it sounds a lot like Gerry and the Pacemakers.

[ThreePuttinDude]

I got a picture of him with a little 110 doing his trademark dance.

A scan and a post of the picture would be greatly appreciated by your FReeper buds

[Revolting cat!]

His story.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

"It is a sad loss, Freddie was part of the 1960s and drew comparisons with the Beatles."

Wishful thinking, but RIP anyway, Freddie.

[JoeSixPack1]

He was a weirdo.

RIP Freddie, thanks for the tunes.

[RedRover]

I remember seeing him dance "the Freddie" on the Ed Sullivan Show and then doing the dance myself when "I'm Telling You Now" came on the radio. I hate to think that kids today imitate what they see on MTV.

[Riverman94610]

They forgot to include"Do the Freddy"in the list of hits.

[lunarbicep]

Are those Frankie and Annette in this silly video?

I believe it is

[MrLee]

Freddie & The Dreamers had all their US hits in 1965. But, Capital released their first single in 1963. Sound familiar?! They say he was a heckuva nice guy.

[Slings and Arrows]

Nerd rock!

That was great! I was laughing so hard that tears were running down my cheeks! (The ones on my face, ya pervs.)

RIP Freddie.

[MrLee]

And, Chubby Checker also had a hit during the Freddie craze with "Let's Do The Freddie" in 1965, also.

[Slings and Arrows]

WARNING: Empty your bladder before watching this video! Important safety tip!

RIP Freddie.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Talk about innocence.

[Caveman Lawyer]

His five-piece band had hits in Britain and the United States with "I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me" and "I'm Telling You Now".

And did we mention "I'm Telling You Now"?

[Slings and Arrows]

Talk about innocence.

Agreed. He danced like the Shaggs sang, and just as endearingly.

[Michael.SF.]

I noticed that also, I wonder if he had three hits or only two?

[Slings and Arrows]

His five-piece band had hits in Britain and the United States with "I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me" and "I'm Telling You Now".

And did we mention "I'm Telling You Now"?

Yes, but you forgot "I'm Telling You Now."

[mwyounce]

As if that wasn't enough, did you notice later in the article?

It was followed over the next two years by hits including "I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me," "Over You," "I Love You Baby" and "I Understand."

In 1965 Freddie and the Dreamers topped the U.S. charts with "I'm Telling You Now"

[Caveman Lawyer]

I'm Telling You Now. And Now! How About Now?

[Onelifetogive]

His five-piece band had hits in Britain and the United States with "I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me" and "I'm Telling You Now". And did we mention "I'm Telling You Now"? Yes, but you forgot "I'm Telling You Now."

I remenber all of these, but didn't they have another one.....Something about "telling" someone something "now" or something like that?

[Las Vegas Dave]

Thanks for the video, brings back memories of when I was a HS freshman...(Annette was sure good looking, ans still is!)

[Caveman Lawyer]

A telling omission.

[Revolting cat!]

[Slings and Arrows]

His five-piece band had hits in Britain and the United States with "I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me" and "I'm Telling You Now". And did we mention "I'm Telling You Now"? Yes, but you forgot "I'm Telling You Now."

I remenber all of these, but didn't they have another one.....Something about "telling" someone something "now" or something like that?

"I'm Telling...," "I'm Telling...," dang, almost had it there.

[RightWhale]

"I'm Telling You Now," "You Were Made For Me" and "I'm Telling You Now".

Always got him confused with Herman and the Hermits. Will that style ever return, where they actually sing a song?

[Slump Tester]

Nothing to do with Freddie, but here's another good clip - "Evolution of Dance".

[Slings and Arrows]

Nothing to do with Freddie, but here's another good clip - "Evolution of Dance".

I second that emotion! And since I'm pinging y'all anyway:

"White, White Baby"

[lunarbicep]

British pop star Freddie Garrity, former lead singer with 1960s band Freddie and the Dreamers, has died at the age of 69.

I believe he was born on November 14, 1940 making him 65

[ThreePuttinDude]

Here is a picture from the archives of a fellow FReeper circa 1963

[Tall_Texan]

Basically a one-hit wonder who danced like someone desperately needing to pee. 60s music tops today's rubbish by a mile but it did have some dog acts, like every generation.

[Samwise]

Kick your feet up
Swing your arms up too
Move your head both ways
Like you see me do.
Do the Freddie. Do the Freddie.

Why can I remember lyrics from the sixties, but I can't remember where I put the keys five minutes ago?

RIP Freddie.

[Revolting cat!]

Actually, 'Do the Freddie' was something that the roadies would tell the groupies when F&D were on tour.

[Revolting cat!]

So, have the the Dreamers announced yet that the show must go on, and they are going to replace Freddie with a new "Freddie"?

[toddlintown]

Can anyone still do "The Freddy?"

[SuziQ]

Oh Dang!! He was a huge part of the music of my teen years!!

[Slings and Arrows]

So, have the the Dreamers announced yet that the show must go on, and they are going to replace Freddie with a new "Freddie"?

Why not? Bill Haley And The Comets are still around.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Why can I remember lyrics from the sixties, but I can't remember where I put the keys five minutes ago?

You and I both suffer from CRS syndrome, I think it goes with the aging process, now where did I put those car keys and what's my FR password????

[SuziQ]

Why can I remember lyrics from the sixties, but I can't remember where I put the keys five minutes ago?

LOL! I heard that!

[Publius]

They forgot "A Little You", on Mercury records.

There's a little truth in every lie you tell me
A little good in all the bad you do
Instead of running away
Listen when I say
All I want is just a little you.

[toddlintown]

"Talk about innocence."

So true.

[ThreePuttinDude]

post #32, for your viewing pleasure

[Revolting cat!]

Why not, indeed. The Platters - not born yet when some of the original members died!

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I hate it when part of my youth passes on....

[1066AD]

Decent guy, looks like he got denied some treatment, "too old",

Freddie has been defined as "Too Old" for the vital organ transplants he needs to keep him going ....... Having been refused treatment for his heart and lungs problem, the funny man of pop is bravely resigned to his fete.>

[OSHA]

Two pingies by slingy to dancin thingies?

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

That's nationalized medicine for you.

[mafree]

RIP Freddie- liked some of your songs.