Freddie and the Dreamers were an English beat band that had a number of hit records between 1962 and 1965. The band's stage act was enlivened by the comic antics of Freddie Garrity, who would bounce around the stage with arms and legs flying.

History

The band, formed in March 1962 in West Didsbury,

Manchester Manchester () is a city and the metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. It had an estimated population of in . Greater Manchester is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, with a population of 2.92&nbs ...

, consisted of vocalist Freddie Garrity, guitarist Roy Crewdson, guitarist/harmonica player Derek Quinn, bassist Peter Birrell, and drummer Bernie Dwyer. Although the band was grouped as part of the Merseybeat sound phenomenon centred around

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

, they came from Manchester. Prior to becoming a singer, Garrity had worked as a

milkman Milk delivery is a Delivery (commerce), delivery service dedicated to supplying milk, typically in milk bottle, bottles or cartons, to customers' homes. This service is performed by a milkman, milkwoman, or milk deliverer. (In contrast, a Cowman ...

in Manchester and bassist Birrell was a shoe salesman. They had four Top 10 UK hits: a cover of James Ray's hit " If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", which reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart in mid-1963, " I'm Telling You Now" (number 2 in August), " You Were Made for Me" (number 3 in November) and a cover of The G-Clefs' "I Understand", which hit the number 5 spot in November 1964. Freddie and the Dreamers dancing 1965

Their eponymous debut album was released in the United Kingdom in 1963, peaking at number five in the UK Albums Chart and reaching number 19 in the US albums chart on 22 May 1965. It was the only LP by the group to chart in America; their subsequent four albums in the UK failed to chart. On stage, the group performed rehearsed, synchronised wacky dance routines. They appeared in four British films: '' What a Crazy World'' with Joe Brown, ''Just for You'', '' Cuckoo Patrol'' with Kenneth Connor and Victor Maddern and '' Every Day's A Holiday'' (US title ''Seaside Swingers'') with Mike Sarne, Ron Moody and John Leyton. Between 1968 and 1973, Garrity and Birrell appeared in the UK ITV children's show ''Little Big Time'', a zany music/talent/adventure show with audience participation.Nostalgia Central
''Little Big Time'' and ''Oliver in the Overworld'' Garrity and Birrell formed a new version of Freddie and the Dreamers in the mid-1970s, releasing three albums on the Arny's Shack label in 1976, 1978 and 1983, although Birrell had left before the third release.

Legacy

In the 1980 ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

History of Rock & Roll'', Lester Bangs wrote of the group:

Founding members

* Freddie Garrity – vocals (1962–2000) *Derek Quinn – lead guitar (1962–1971) *Roy Crewdson – rhythm guitar (1962–1971) *Pete Birrell – bass (1962–1971; 1974–1980s) *Bernie Dwyer – drums (1962–1971)

Discography

References

External links