Fred Stobaugh facts for kids

Fred Stobaugh (August 22, 1917 – November 23, 2016) was an American retired driver and songwriter. He became well known after he submitted a song, "Oh Sweet Lorraine", to a music competition. The song was about his wife of 72 years. It became a viral video in September 2013. The song was soon entered in the Billboard Hot 100.

Personal life

Stobaugh was born on August 22, 1917 in Peoria, Illinois. He met his wife Lorraine Dinquel in 1938. They were married in 1940. They had three children. Dinquel died in April 2013.

Stobaugh died on November 23, 2016 in Peoria, aged 99.

Oh Sweet Lorraine

A few months after his wife's death, Stobaugh wrote the song "Oh Sweet Lorraine". He entered a singer-songwriter competition hosted by Green Shoe Studio. The video of their recording sessions attracted more than six million hits on YouTube and Vimeo. In September 2013, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 42. He is the oldest artist to have appeared on the Hot 100.

Songs