Freddy Cannon was born Frederick Anthony Picariello in Boston (USA) on 4 December 1940.
Signed by producers/songwriters Frank Slay and Bob Crewe to Swan Records in 1959 Freddie hit the charts in Britain and the US that year with Tallahassee Lassie following heavy promotion and a good gimmick – a whooping scream that featured in many of his records.
He followed up with Okefenokee and his biggest hit Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, which earned him a second gold disc in 1960.
He had further hits with California Here I Come, Palisades Park and The Urge, but never developed beyond the initial impact of Tallahassee Lassie.
