All contemporary photos by Alan Mercer
Freddie Pool began her entertainment career in the mid 1960's, as a member of the girl group: THE DELICATES. They recorded several singles for the Challenge, Soultown, and Pulsar Record labels. Etta James was an early mentor to the group and took them on the road as her opening act. Previously, Freddie caught the attention of Motown Records founder, Berry Gordy, who invited her to record a demo for his company. She recorded a tune entitled "Crying," which featured Brenda Holloway & Frank Wilson on backup vocals, and was produced by Hal Davis & Marc Gordon. Mr. Gordy expressed an interest in signing Pool to a solo deal but she opted not to accept the offer. She preferred to stay with The Delicates, who she continued to perform with until the early '70's.
The Delicates with Freddie on the right
In the late '70s, Freddie went on to become a member of: WILD HONEY, the female backup group for Ron Townson (of The Fifth Dimension.) Her group mates were future R&B star: Vesta Williams, and Mary Flowers. The act performed in some of the most elite venues on the Vegas circuit with the likes of: Jean Terrell (former lead singer of The Supremes), and Ben Vereen. Before disbanding in the early '80s, the group recorded tracks for an unreleased album project.
Throughout the '70s, '80s, and into the '90s, Freddie Pool provided backup vocals for artists such as: James Cleveland, Lola Falana, Sammy Davis Jr, Lisa Stansfield, and Gladys Knight. She also was one of the original cast members of the show group: MOTOR CITY MAGIC.
Freddie was a beloved member of: FLOS (Former Ladies Of The Supremes) from 1996-2009, completing the trio and helping to continue the legacy of the iconic group. She toured the world over, providing the act with an undeniable magnetic energy and presence.
In 2010, Pool united once again with former Wild Honey group mate, Mary Flowers, to become two-thirds of: JEAN TERRELL'S SUPREME REVIEW, performing for select engagements.
Also, in 2010, Freddie formed her own SUPREME TRIBUTE group, carrying on the magic with beauty, grace, and style.
In January 2011, Freddie made her debut as a member of: THE THREE DEGREES, the longest running female vocal group in history. Alongside Helen Scott & Valerie Holiday, she embarked on an exciting new chapter in her illustrious career.
On top of all her other career achievements, Pool has established herself as an in-demand solo performer for major corporate events. Heavily involved in humanitarian activities, she is on the Board Of Directors of the F.A.B. WOMEN organization.
Alan Mercer: Freddie, let’s talk about your first group, The Delicates.
Freddie Pool: It was a teenage group. We formed the group when I was in Junior High School. We had a few hits. We had people like Glen Campbell, who was one of our musicians in the recordings. We were just young girls having fun, loving the chance to sing. Our music went on its own path. We weren’t thinking of it as a career. We just wanted to have fun and sing.
AM: Did you always love singing?
FP: Yes, since I was four years old. My first audience was the church congregation. Most Black artists start singing at the age of four because that’s when we would join the church choir.
AM: Do you think your singing style is gospel influenced?
FP: Yes, it is. My grandmother was an incredible Gospel singer. Her name was Bertha Harrison and her son was a professional Gospel singer named Joe Harrison. He worked alongside Sam Cooke. He started the Morning Glory Singers gospel group. All these professional Gospel artists would come to my mother’s house and because my grandmother recognized my passion for music, I had the opportunity to perform for all these fantastic singers. Even now when I am on stage, I will take a song like ‘I Will Survive’ and it will become a Gospel song.
AM: It becomes your intention.
FP: Absolutely, with faith and trust.
AM: You never went into Gospel music as a career, did you?
FP: No, I did not. I did, however, do some backing vocals in a choir for the legendary James Cleveland and Aretha Franklin.
AM: Your music has always been more pop sounding or rhythm and blues.
FP: We call our music rhythm and blues, but it’s not B.B. King!
AM: You’ve been a part of some legendary Music groups.
FP: Absolutely.
AM: How was it being in The Former Ladies of The Supremes?
FP: That was wonderful to be able to carry on the legacy of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, Jean Terrell and Cindy Birdsong. They are all incredible! What an experience. These ladies paved the way for young Black women. We looked at the Supremes and saw true elegance.
AM: You also have a connection to Etta James.
FP: Awe…Etta James was the first major artist that I toured with when I was in my teenage group, The Delicates. We opened the show for her. Let me tell you something funny about that time. We didn’t know about the business and when we opened the show, we opened with one of Etta's songs.
AM: Uh oh.
FP: Etta came out of her dressing room and went to the back of the room behind the audience and was staring at us. Then when we were finished with our set and went backstage, Etta came out on stage and said, “Who were those little bitches singing my song?” (Laughter) The audience LOVED it and started applauding and wouldn’t stop. Etta loved it and said, “Aren’t they fabulous?” Then, she took us on tour with her.
AM: That is a great story! Currently, you are a member of the Three Degrees, right?
FP: Yes!
AM: I love the album, ‘Strategy’ that you and the group recorded. Which songs are you singing lead on?
FP: I sing lead vocal on ‘Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,’ ‘Disco Inferno,’ and ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way.’
AM: I love your versions of those songs. They sound refreshing.
FP: Thank you! Thank you! The ‘Strategy’ album is our tribute to the Philly International label.
AM: It’s such a fun album. You can feel young listening to it.
FP: It is a fun album and it was fun singing covers of those megahit songs by those fabulous artists.
AM: You also worked with a personal favorite of mine that I had the pleasure of seeing perform live, when you were a background vocalist, and that is Miss Lola Falana!
FP: You saw me perform then?! (Laughter)
AM: The show was phenomenal! It was very Las Vegas styled.
FP: We were a hit! There was so much wonderful talent that actually made up the Lola Falana show. You had producers and dancers. In fact, some of the dancers went on to do choreography for Michael Jackson. We called our company The Champions.
AM: With a career so varied and fulfilling, is there anything you haven’t done that you would like to?
FP: I think I’d like to act. I’d like to be on the big screen. Ron Townson of the legendary 5th Dimension used to say to me, “You should really be acting as well.”
AM: You should do it.
FP: It’s never too late is it?
AM: Never! Is there anything else you want to do?
FP: The other thing l would love to do is record a Gospel album and dedicate it to the memory of my Granny. Gospel is my musical foundation.
To learn more about Freddie Pool follow her fan page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/FreddiePoolFanSite/