Freddy Cannon, the early rock and roll singer known for bringing extra energy to late-1950s and early-1960s pop radio, died Friday at a California hospice facility. He was 89, according to Billboard.
His longtime friend Tom Cuddy of iHeartRadio confirmed that Cannon died after a brief bout with cancer. Billboard reported that his children, Conny and Billy, were with him in the days before he died.
Cannon scored three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Tallahassee Lassie,” “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans” and “Palisades Park.” His nickname, “Boom Boom,” came from the big bass drum sound heard on his records.
Born Frederick Anthony Picariello Jr. in Revere, Massachusetts, Cannon later lived in Lynn and eventually moved to Philadelphia with his wife Jeanette after taking Dick Clark’s advice. He recorded 23 Hot 100 hits between 1959 and 1981, appeared often on music television shows, and worked with artists including Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard and Chubby Checker.
According to Billboard, Cannon was still working on music at his home in Oxnard, California, before his death. He is survived by his children, sister, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
