Freddie and the Dreamers were an English beat band that had a number of hit records between 1962 and 1965. The band was well-known for their stage act, which was enhanced by the comic antics of frontman Freddie Garrity.

History

The band, formed in March 1962 in West Didsbury, Manchester, 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, they came from Manchester.

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. 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.

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

Founding members

  • Freddie Garrity – vocals (1962–2000; died 2006)
  • Derek Quinn – lead guitar (1962–1971; died 2020)
  • Roy Crewdson – rhythm guitar (1962–1971)
  • Pete Birrell – bass (1962–1971; 1974–1980s)
  • Bernie Dwyer – drums (1962–1971; died 2002)

Discography

See also

  • Beat music

References

  • Freddie Garrity Birthday Tribute – 14 November 2011
  • The New Dreamers