Freddie White

Official Tara Records biography from 1985:

Born in Cobh, Co.Cork 1951. His father played many instruments, his mother sang jazz (sometimes with Phil Murtagh's Big Band).

1964 saw the first guitar and group. Freddie played bass lines on his guitar. The Krux followed [in 1967], with White on electric lead. They played at The Cavern night club and supported Rory Gallagher on bigger dates. At that time the musical influences were Cream, The Stones and The Beatles.

In Dr.John's folk loft he played his first solo gigs; playing folk-blues inspired by John Renbourn, Bert Jansch and Jackson C.Frank. Then came Stormies Mates, an acapella outfit singing sea shanties (release the tapes Freddie!--ed).

The next three years were spent in London - busking. Of necessity a powerful singing style developed. Returning to Ireland, he took a training course in Tree Surgery, having inherited 'green fingers' from his mother.

Travel again - London, Holland - busking.

1974 was spent in Crosshaven [Co.Cork], playing (often 6 nights a week) in pubs in this seaside resort. Then came Snedger [1973 with Joe Callaghan pre Hot Guitars], a band playing Zappa, Little Feat and The Beatles, with Freddie on bass. He then moved to Dublin and joined The Sunday Night Band [1974, with Philip King and Sonny Condell], which later developed into the original Scullion [1975].

A two year residency, playing solo, put Freddie into the Dublin (and national) limelight.

He formed The Fake in 1977, a highly acclaimed band which released one single "Green Light"/"Down On Main", now a collectors' item.

Freddie played support on Eric Clapton's first Irish appearance '76, first tour '77. In '78 The Freddie White Band played the Clapton tour support slot. The band featured Philip Donnelly on lead guitar.

The 'Live' LP was recorded on a tour with Clannad in 1978 and is still much in demand. Intensive touring of the country followed, with TV appearances on RTE's Late Late Show, Our Times, and BBC N.I's As I Roved Out.

Freddie was well received at all the summer festivals of 1979 and in 1980 brought The Freddie White Band Mk II to the Lisdoonvarna Festival.

This band edned in October and WHite resumed touring the country, road testing new material for his second LP and developing new dimensions in his sound.

Since the release of the album "Do You Do", Freddie has turned more towards songwriting, working with various Irish artists, notably Eamonn Linehan and Johnny Duhan. His single "Fropzen Heart" which has been widely acclaimed, is one such example, Freddie composing the music and Johnny Duhan the lyrics.

However, the saga of Freddie's powerful interpretations goes on, and still included in his stage performances are some of th ebest works of this century's songwriters, from Billy Joel, Warren Zevon, Randy Newman through to Hoagy Carmichael and Louis Armstrong.

Freddie's ling association with Clannad, which led to the recording of his first album "Live On Tour", took a new turn this Autumn [1985] when Freddie joined the group as special guest at their Olympia [Dublin] shows.

Freddie White has just finished recording his third album "Long Distance Runner", which will include songs written by himself, a major step forward for this accomplished artiste.

His solo concert tour during December and January includes The Ritz in London and The Olympia in Dublin.

side one:
Werewolf
Wedding in Cherokee County
Frozen Heart
Long Distance Runner
It's You

side two:
Voices
Love Like Blood
Down Without A Fight
Christmas in Capetown
Goodbye This Time

side one:
Have A Nice Day
Desperados Waiting for A Train

side two:
When Jesus Gets To Town
Martha

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