Freddie Scott | |
---|---|
Born |
Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
April 24, 1933
Died | June 4, 2007 Jamaica, New York, US |
(aged 74)
Genres | Soul, R&B |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Years active | 1956–2003 |
Labels | J&S, Joy, Colpix, Columbia, Shout, Elephant V, Probe, Vanguard, Pickwick International, Mainstream |
Freddie Scott (April 24, 1933 – June 4, 2007) was an American soul singer and songwriter. His biggest hits were "Hey, Girl", a top ten US pop hit in 1963, and "Are You Lonely For Me", a no.1 hit on the R&B chart in early 1967.
He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and sang in his grandmother's gospel group, Sally Jones & the Gospel Keyes, touring England with them at the age of 12. He studied medicine at the University of Rhode Island and then at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, but began singing again with the Swanee Quintet Juniors, and gave up his medical career.
In 1956 he recorded as a secular singer with the J&S label in New York City, releasing his first solo single "Running Home". He also wrote the top 10 R&B hit "I'll Be Spinning" for the label's duo, Johnnie & Joe, and his song "Baby I'm Sorry" was recorded by Ricky Nelson for his 1957 debut album Ricky. He was then called up to serve in Korea, but continued to record for small labels with little success. After leaving the military, he turned to songwriting, joining the Aldon Music publishing company set up by Al Nevins and Don Kirshner in the Brill Building, where he recorded many of his own demos and also worked as a producer with Erma Franklin. He also continued to release his own records, including "Baby, You're a Long Time Dead" for Joy Records (New York) in 1961.