Carole Fredericks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carole Fredericks
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carole Denise Fredericks |
| Also known as | Carole Fredericks |
| Born | June 5, 1952 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | June 7, 2001 (aged 49) Dakar, Senegal |
| Genres | Gospel, Blues, Rhythm and blues, Rock, French Pop |
| Instruments | Voice |
| Years active | 1973–2001 |
| Labels | Sony/BMG M6 Interactions Carla Music |
| Associated acts | Taj Mahal Fredericks Goldman Jones Les Enfoirés Poetic Lover Voix de L’Espoir Mylène Farmer Celine Dion |
Carole Denise Fredericks (born June 5, 1952 – died June 7, 2001) was an American singer. She became very famous for her music in France. She was also the younger sister of the well-known blues musician, Taj Mahal.
From 1990 to 1996, Carole was part of a super popular music group called Fredericks Goldman Jones. She sang alongside French singer-songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman and Welsh-French guitarist Michael Jones.
Biography
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Carole Denise Fredericks was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on June 5, 1952. She was the youngest of five children. Her parents, Mildred and Harry Fredericks, loved music. Her mom sang in Big Bands and a gospel choir. Her dad was a pianist who wrote jazz music.
Carole grew up surrounded by music from all over the world. Her parents encouraged all their children to be creative. Her older brother is Grammy-winning blues musician, Taj Mahal.
When Carole was two years old, her father died in an accident. This loss stayed with her throughout her life.
By the time she was 20, Carole moved to Oakland, California. Her brother, Taj Mahal, asked her to join him. She became a background singer on several of his albums. She also sang in a gospel choir and performed in a play. Carole even formed her own small music group.
She worked at a French restaurant to earn extra money. Many customers told her she should go to France to sing. They were very convincing! So, without knowing any French, she bought a one-way ticket to Paris in January 1979. Everyone thought she was a bit crazy!
Starting Fresh in France
When Carole arrived in France, she quickly found work. The owner of the restaurant she worked at in California helped her. She started singing everywhere. Just three weeks after arriving, she signed a deal with Carla Music. She recorded a disco album called Black Orchid.
Carole met other American singers in France, like Ann Calvert and Yvonne Jones. They formed a trio of background vocalists. Soon, top French artists wanted them to sing on their songs. They worked with stars like Dalida and Johnny Hallyday.
Carole was determined to learn French fast. As she got better, she started performing in concerts. By 1985, she was a well-known singer. She performed with famous French artists like Laurent Voulzy and Michel Berger. In 1981, she even sang backup for Jean-Claude Pascal at the Eurovision Song Contest.
In 1985, Carole was part of a big show for Gilbert Bécaud. She also toured with Mireille Mathieu in Scandinavia. She even had small roles in movies, like Pirates with Walter Matthau.
By 1986, Carole was singing with many leading French-speaking artists. Her talent caught the attention of Jean-Jacques Goldman.
Joining Fredericks Goldman Jones
Jean-Jacques Goldman was a very famous French singer-songwriter. He had heard about Carole's amazing voice. He called her and asked her to sing on his next album and tour with him.
Carole said this was a huge moment for her. She had been a background singer, but Jean-Jacques helped her step into the spotlight. They worked together on many important projects.
In 1987, Carole recorded background vocals for Jean-Jacques Goldman's album Entre gris clair et gris foncé. Then, she toured with him for a whole year.
In 1989, Jean-Jacques asked Carole to sing "Brother." This was the theme song for a movie called L'UNION SACRÉE. Carole also toured with Mylène Farmer and worked on albums for Vanessa Paradis and Véronique Sanson.
In 1990, Jean-Jacques invited Carole and guitarist Michael Jones to form a new group. They called themselves Fredericks Goldman Jones. Their first album, also called Fredericks Goldman Jones, was a massive hit. It sold over 600,000 copies in six months! The group toured all over the world. One of their most famous songs was "À nos actes manqués".
In 1992, the trio released a second album, Sur scène, which also sold millions. Around this time, Carole also sang on a song called "Runaway Train" for Elton John's album The One.
In 1993, Fredericks Goldman Jones traveled to Moscow. They recorded their third album, Rouge, with the voices of Russia's Red Army Choir. This album was also a huge success and led to an international tour.
In 1994, the group recorded a live album at a club in Paris. It was called Du New Morning au Zénith. Carole really shined in this performance. She sang three classic R&B songs: Aretha Franklin's "Think," "Knock on Wood," and "Tobacco Road." The album and DVD were very popular.
In 1995, Jean-Jacques Goldman wrote a new album for Céline Dion called D'eux. Carole and Yvonne Jones provided background vocals. This album became the best-selling French-language album of all time, selling 9 million copies worldwide!
Solo Career
After her success with the group, Carole started writing her own songs.
In July 1996, Carole released her first solo album, Springfield. She named it after her hometown. The album was a tribute to her mother, who had passed away. Carole said her mother gave her the gift of music.
Springfield featured gospel and blues music, the styles Carole loved most. She wrote 12 original songs for the album. It also included a special duet with her older brother, Taj Mahal, called "You Had It Comin'." The album was recorded entirely in English and was very popular in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Carole then went on a solo tour in Europe.
In 1997, Carole sang on Jean-Jacques Goldman's new solo album, En passant.
In 1998, her song "Run Away Love" from the Springfield album became the theme song for a movie. Carole also recorded a duet called "Personne Ne Saurait" with the boy group Poétic Lover. This song was a big hit on the pop charts. Carole became a celebrity, appearing on many TV shows.
Jean-Jacques Goldman also wrote another album for Céline Dion in 1998, S'il Suffisait D'aimer. Carole returned to the studio to sing backup vocals for this album too.
In 1999, Carole released her second solo album, Couleurs et Parfums (Colors and Perfumes). This album was entirely in French. Carole said she loved colors because they were like life and sunshine. The album was a mix of rap, rhythm, and blues. It showed how Carole combined her American roots with her love for France.
Four popular songs came from Couleurs et Parfums:
- "Personne ne Saurait" (with Poétic Lover)
- "Qu’est-ce qui t’amène?"
- "Respire"
- "Le Prix a Payer"
In December 1999, Carole performed as a solo artist in Paris. She had special guests join her on stage, including Jean-Jacques Goldman and Michael Jones. She also performed with Liane Foly on a TV show. Carole ended the year 1999 with a performance at the famous Le Lido in Paris.
In early 2001, Carole performed the song "L’Aziza" with Roch Voisine on the TV show Taratata. This song was a famous anti-racist hit from the 1980s.
Helping Others
Carole was a very generous person. She often performed in concerts and recorded songs to help others. She supported charities for people with AIDS, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Amnesty International.
For nine seasons, she performed with Les Enfoirés. This group raises money for Les Restos du Cœur, an organization that helps feed hungry and homeless people in France.
People described Carole as having a "generous spirit." She loved to get involved in fundraising tours with her musician friends. She was always ready to help. In 2001, she performed at the "Voix de l'Espoir" (Voices of Hope) concert. This concert raised money to build a children's hospital in Dakar, Senegal.
Death and Legacy
Carole Fredericks sadly passed away from a heart attack in Dakar, Senegal, on June 7, 2001. She was 49 years old, just two days after her birthday. The French Minister of Culture asked for her to be buried in Montmartre Cemetery in Paris.
Even though Carole was very popular in France and Europe, many people in the United States didn't know about her. In the years after her death, her family and French language teachers worked to share her music. They found that her songs were a great way to teach the French language.
In 2002, Carole's family created CDF Music Legacy, LLC. This company works to keep her musical memory alive. They got the rights to all of Carole's solo recordings.
In 2003, they started making special teaching materials using Carole's music. They created "Activity Books" that combined her songs and music videos with French teaching methods. These books, like Tant Qu’Elle Chante, Elle Vit! and Couleurs et parfums, are now used in thousands of schools and universities in the United States, Canada, and even Singapore.
In 2006, Carole's family and educators started the Carole D. Fredericks Foundation, Inc. This non-profit organization helps promote learning French and understanding French-speaking cultures through Carole's music.
Carole Fredericks was honored posthumously (after her death) in 2006. She and her brother, Taj Mahal, received an award for showing how music can help people from different cultures connect.
Jean-Jacques Goldman wrote a special message for this award ceremony. He said Carole was born in the United States, where she grew up with music. She was "born a second time" in France, where she found artistic success and friends. And she was "born a third time" in Senegal, where she felt connected to her roots. He said Carole was a symbol of how different cultures can mix beautifully through music.
Music Albums
Solo Albums
- Black Orchid (1979)
- Springfield (1996)
- Couleurs et Parfums (1999)
Group Albums (with Fredericks Goldman Jones)
- Fredericks Goldman Jones (1990)
- Sur scène (Live album, 1992)
- Rouge (1993)
- Du New Morning au Zénith (Live album, 1995)
- Pluriel: The Best of Fredericks Goldman Jones 1990 - 1996 (2000)
Other Notable Album Credits
Carole Fredericks also sang on albums for many other famous artists, including:
- Elton John (The One)
- Celine Dion (D’Eux, S'il suffisait d'aimer)
- Johnny Hallyday (Sang pour sang)
- Jean-Jacques Goldman (En passant, Entre gris clair et gris foncé)
- Mylène Farmer (Cendres de Lune)
- Vanessa Paradis (Variations sur le même t'aime)
Movies and TV Shows
Movies
- Tom est tout seul (1995)
- Roselyne et les lions (1989)
- Les deux crocodiles (1987)
- I Love You (1986)
- Pirates (1986)
TV Appearances
Carole appeared on many TV shows, often performing or being interviewed. Some of these include:
- Taratata (1993 - 2001)
- Les Restos du Cœur concerts (1992 - 2001)
Important Performances
Carole Fredericks had many memorable performances throughout her career. Here are a few:
- In 2002, Jean-Jacques Goldman paid tribute to Carole during his "Un Tour Ensemble" tour. He and Michael Jones sang a song while footage of Carole singing with them played on a screen.
- In 2001, Carole performed "L’AZIZA" with Roch Voisine on the TV show Taratata.
- In 1999, she sang "Une femme amoureuse / A Woman in Love" with Liane Foly on the TV show Tapis Rouge.
- In 1998, Carole performed "Personne ne saurait" with Poetic Lovers for M6 Hit television.
- In 1995, she sang "Knock On Wood" with Celine Dion, Jean-Jacques Goldman, and Michael Jones on Taratata TV.
- Also in 1995, Carole performed Aretha Franklin's "Think" live with Fredericks Goldman Jones.
- In 1994, Carole sang the gospel classic "Oh Happy Day" with Florent Pagny and a choir for Les Enfoirés concert.
Awards
2008 INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
- Her song "Reason To Stay" received an Honorable Mention in the "Blues" category.
- Her song "Shine" received an Honorable Mention in the "Gospel / Christian" category.
2006 JAMES W. DODGE AWARD
- Carole Fredericks received this award after her death. Her brother, Taj Mahal, also received it. The award recognized how their music helps people learn about different cultures and languages.
2004 JUST PLAIN FOLKS (JPF) MUSIC AWARDS
- Her album Springfield won "Best Gospel Album."
- Her song "Shine" won "Best Gospel Song."
- Her song "Save My Soul" came in second place for "Best Gospel Song."
