Freddi Pool (born September 12, 1946) is an American singer, known best for her work with the Former Ladies of the Supremes and

The Three Degrees The Three Degrees is an American female vocal group formed circa 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although 16 women have been members over the years, the group has always been a trio. The current line-up consists of Helen Scott, Valerie Holi ...

Biography

Raised in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

, she started her singing career in the church at the age of four, and got her first recording contract at the age of fourteen with the girl group "The Delicates". The quartet recorded several singles for the Challenge, Soultown, and Pulsar Record labels. Pool went on to become a founding member of the female trio: Wild Honey. R&B star Vesta Williams, and Mary Flowers were her groupmates. Ron Townson (of

The 5th Dimension The 5th Dimension is an American popular music vocal group, whose repertoire includes pop, R&B, soul, jazz, light opera, and Broadway. Formed as the Versatiles in late 1965, the group changed its name to "the 5th Dimension" by 1966. Betwe ...

) was their mentor. The group disbanded in the early 1980s. Freddi's impressive list of musical associations include performances with

Lola Falana Loletha Elayne Falana or Loletha Elaine Falana (born September 11, 1942), better known by her stage name Lola Falana, is an American singer, dancer, and actress. Early life Lola Falana was born in Camden, New Jersey. She was the third of si ...

, former Supreme

Jean Terrell Velma Jean Terrell (born November 26, 1944) is an American R&B and jazz singer. She replaced Diana Ross as the lead singer of The Supremes in January 1970. Biography Early life and career She is the sister of the former WBA heavyweight box ...

, Lisa Stansfield,

Phyllis Hyman Phyllis Linda Hyman (July 6, 1949 – June 30, 1995) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Hyman is best known for her music during the late 1970s through the early 1990s, some of her most notable songs were "You Know How to Love Me" ...

Patti LaBelle Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B singer, actress and businesswoman. LaBelle is referred to as the " Godmother of Soul". She began her career in the early 1960s as lead singe ...

, Ron Townson, and Sammy Davis, Jr. Her television appearances include ''

The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...

'', ''

The Merv Griffin Show ''The Merv Griffin Show'' is an American television talk show starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, May 10, 1965 to July 4, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 ...

'', and ''

The Arsenio Hall Show ''The Arsenio Hall Show'' is an American syndicated late-night talk show created by and starring comedian Arsenio Hall. There have been two different incarnations of ''The Arsenio Hall Show''. The original series premiered on January 3, 1989, ...

''. Freddi has also recorded and performed with

Liza Minnelli Liza May Minnelli ( ; born March 12, 1946) is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli is among a rare group of performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy ...

Lou Rawls Louis Allen Rawls (December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006) was an American record producer, singer, composer and actor. Rawls released more than 60 albums, sold more than 40 million records, and had numerous charting singles, most notably his s ...

and

Jermaine Jackson Jermaine La Jaune Jackson (born December 11, 1954) is an American singer-songwriter and bassist. He is best known for being a member of the Jackson family. From 1964 to 1975, Jermaine was second vocalist after his brother Michael of The Jackso ...

. She managed her own 12-piece band "The Motorcity Angels" and prior to joining

Scherrie Payne Scherrie Ann Payne (born November 4, 1944) is an American singer. Payne is best known as a member of the R&B/Soul vocal group The Supremes from 1973 until 1977. Because of her powerful voice and petite stature (5'2"), Payne is sometimes referred ...

and

Lynda Laurence Lynda Laurence (also spelled Lawrence, born Lynda Tucker; February 20, 1949) is an American singer. The youngest daughter of Louise and Ira Tucker, a gospel songwriter, producer, and singer, Laurence's siblings are Sundray Tucker and Ira Tuc ...

's group, Freddi was touring extensively with the legendary Motown songstress

Gladys Knight Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer, actress and businesswoman. A seven-time Grammy Award-winner, Knight recorded hits through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with her family group Gladys K ...

Former Ladies of the Supremes

In July 1996, Freddi replaced

Sundray Tucker Sundray Tucker (born March 23, 1948) is an American singer. She is the eldest daughter of the late Ira Tucker (of the Dixie Hummingbirds) and Louise Tucker. Her sister is Lynda Laurence, once a member of the Supremes, and her brother is Ira Tuc ...

in the Former Ladies of the Supremes. In September 2009, it was reported via Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence's website that Freddi would be no longer a part of "The Ladies", instead, Joyce Vincent, formerly of

Tony Orlando and Dawn Tony Orlando and Dawn is an American pop music group that was popular in the 1970s, composed of singer Tony Orlando and the backing vocal group Dawn (Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson). Their signature hits include " Candida", " Knock Thre ...

, had taken her place.

The Three Degrees

In January 2011, Poole replaced Cynthia Garrison in The Three Degrees, who was suffering from

Piriformis syndrome Piriformis syndrome is a condition which is believed to result from compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Symptoms may include pain and numbness in the buttocks and down the leg. Often symptoms are worsened with sitting or ru ...

and could no longer tour with the group. , Poole was still a member of the Three Degrees.

Discography

Freddie Pool - Driving Wheel Records *The Utrecht Sessions - CD EP - Released March 2014 *Young Hearts Run Free (Radio Mix) - Digital Download Single - Released August 2014 *Young Hearts Run Free (The Remixes) - Digital Download Single - Released March 2015 *I Will Survive - Digital Download Single - Released June 2015 *I Will Survive (Berlin Remixes) - Digital Download Single/Maxi CD - Released January 2017 *Young Hearts Run Free (Rinaldo Montezz Remix) - Digital Download Single - Released November 2018 *I Will Survive (Rinaldo Montezz Freddie Goes To Rio Remix) - Digital Download Single - Released February 2020

References

External links

Freddie Pool FanSite
(official fansite)
The Three Degrees
(official website)
Driving Wheel Records
{{DEFAULTSORT:Poole, Freddi 20th-century African-American women singers American women singers Living people 1946 births 21st-century African-American people 21st-century African-American women