- John Fred
John Fred (born John Fred Gourrier,
May 8 ,1941 –April 14 ,2005 ) was ablue-eyed soul ,Cajun swamp pop andbubble-gum pop performer from Baton Rouge,Louisiana , best known for thesong , "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses) ". [cite news | last =Associated Press | title =J. F. Gourrier Dies at 63; Sang 'Judy in Disguise' | work =The New York Times | date =April 19, 2005 | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/19/arts/music/19gourrier.html | accessdate =2007-10-12]game.Fact|date=September 2008
In 1967, Fred and band member
Andrew Bernard co-wrote "Judy in Disguise ", aparody ofThe Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds ". The song became enormously successful, ironically knocking another Beatles song ("Hello, Goodbye ") out of the #1 chart position on theBillboard Hot 100 for two weeks in January 1968. [cite book | last =Bronson | first =Fred | title =The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits | publisher =Billboard Books | date =2003 | pages = 235 | isbn = 0823076776] Although Fred actually had a well-rehearsed and talented group honed by years on the road, now known as John Fred & His Playboy Band, he was branded as a novelty act and never had another success. Only after years of struggles did Fred obtain full legal rights to "Judy in Disguise" and itsroyalties .Fact|date=September 2008 They also covered "You're On My Mind " byThe Animals .Fred continued to perform in bands, coached high school basketball and
baseball , remained a fixture atconcerts and shows in his hometown, and hosted a popular localradio show, "The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll".Fact|date=September 2008 In 2002, he released his finalalbum , "Somebody's Knockin". In 2004, his health began to fail and he received akidney transplant . Complications ensued, culminating in a long hospital stay, and finally, death in 2005. Fred was survived by his wife, Sandra, and a son.In April, 2007, Gourrier was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame in Baton Rouge.Fact|date=September 2008 He has been inducted into the
Delta Music Museum in Ferriday,Louisiana .Fact|date=September 2008References
External links
* [http://www.tsimon.com/fred.htm John Fred & His Playboy Band]
* [http://www.myspace.com/hornrockheaven Horn Rock Heaven]
* [http://home.comcast.net/~bubblegumusic/fred.htm Bubblegumusic biography]
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