Freddie Gorman Tributes

As previously reported, Freddie recently passed away. Since then there have been many tributes to the man and his music on various web sites and radio stations.

One man who paid special tribute to Freddie was Richard Searling on Smoooth FM UK this Saturday gone. Richard had invited Freddie and the Originals over to the UK for his 50th birthday party at the Ritz in Manchester in 2002. Richard recalled the visit in his tribute and played a recording of Freddie singing his Ric Tic classic Take Me Back at the Ritz show. This had been the first occasion that Freddie had ever sung the song live. What was heard on the recording was the warmth and appreciation felt by the audience for Freddie's performance and his obvious pleasure in their response. Richard also played "Love Has Seen Us Through" on his show which is featured above. This 45 captures for me the smooth elegance of Freddie's singing and I always feel a warm glow when I play it!

There are also some further tributes over on Sixties Detroit to Freddie including pictures of the celebration of his life. Please also check out Sue Whitall's tribute to Freddie in the Detroit News which includes a photo of the Originals that I have never seen before.

If you want to read more about Freddie and the Originals then I highly recommend an article written several years ago by Heikki Suosalo for Soul Express which is still available from their website.

Freddie - thanks again for the music!!