Fred Sledge Smith facts for kids

Fred Sledge Smith (born May 18, 1933 – died July 29, 2005) was a talented American songwriter and record producer. He was often known as Fred Smith. He helped create many popular R&B (Rhythm and Blues) songs. He worked with famous groups like The Olympics, Bob & Earl, and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. He also worked with comedian and singer Bill Cosby.

Fred Smith's Early Life and Music

Fred Smith was born in Los Angeles, California. His mother, Effie Smith, was a singer and a funny entertainer. Fred started his music career in the 1950s. He teamed up with his friend Cliff Goldsmith to write songs.

One of their first big songs was "Western Movies". It was a fun, new kind of song. The vocal group The Olympics recorded it. Fred's stepfather, John Criner, managed The Olympics. "Western Movies" became a big hit in 1958. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also hit number 7 on the R&B chart.

Writing Hits for The Olympics

Fred Smith and Cliff Goldsmith kept writing songs together. They created many dance and fun songs until the early 1960s. They wrote more hits for The Olympics. These included "Hully Gully" and "Dance By The Light of the Moon". "Hully Gully" was so popular that other artists, like Chubby Checker and The Beach Boys, later sang their own versions.

Fred and Cliff also helped produce many of The Olympics' early records. Around 1963, Fred took over as the main producer.

Working with Mirwood Records

In 1963, Fred Smith started working with a new record company called Mirwood Records. It was started in Los Angeles by Randy Wood. Fred began working with a singing duo named Bob and Earl. They were Bob Relf and Earl Nelson.

Fred, Bob, and Earl worked together to produce their song "Harlem Shuffle". This song became a Top 10 hit in the UK years later. Fred also helped write and produce other songs for Bob and Earl.

In 1965, Fred co-wrote and produced "The Duck". This song was sung by Jackie Lee, which was a stage name for Earl Nelson. "The Duck" reached number 14 on the US pop chart. Fred continued to work with Earl Nelson on more songs. Many of the songs Fred produced for Mirwood became popular in British "Northern soul" clubs. He often worked with a music arranger named James Carmichael.

Starting His Own Labels

In 1967, Fred Smith started his own record label called MoSoul. He co-wrote and produced a song called "Grits 'n Cornbread". This song was a hit for a local group called the Soul Runners.

The Soul Runners also played music for Bill Cosby on his album Silver Throat: Bill Cosby Sings. Fred produced this album. It included the hit song "Little Ole Man (Uptight, Everything's Alright)". This song reached number 4 on the US pop chart. Bill Cosby then released another album, Hooray for the Salvation Army Band, which Fred also produced.

Fred renamed the backing band the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. He recorded their music on another one of his labels, Keymen. Their first hit under the new name was "Spreadin' Honey". Fred co-wrote and produced this song too. He continued to produce the band's music even after they signed with Warner Bros. Records. The band later changed their name to Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.

Later Years

In the early 1970s, Fred Smith worked for a short time with his mother, Effie Smith, at Stax Records. However, he became tired of the music business. When Stax Records closed in 1975, Fred left the entertainment world.

Fred Sledge Smith passed away in Los Angeles in 2005. He was 72 years old. The words on his gravestone say: "Never boring, always loved - he made America dance."