John Fred & His Playboy Band formed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1956. The band plays rock 'n' roll, garage rock, pop rock and swamp pop. The most important members include singer and pianist John Fred Gourrier, guitarist Tommy Holden, saxophonist Ronnie Goodson, bassist Howard Cordray and drummer Donald "Popcorn" Randolph. Frontman John Fred Gourrier was born on May 8, 1941 in Baton Rouge. He is regarded as a formative figure in the American pop and garage rock scene of the 1960s. He formed his first bands while still at school and developed a style between rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll and humorous pop. In 1967, John Fred & His Playboy Band achieved their international breakthrough with "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)". The song indirectly parodies the Beatles' " Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". The single reached number 1 in the US Billboard charts and even knocked the Beatles off the top spot in early 1968. In the UK, the song climbs to number 3 in the charts. "Hey, Hey Bunny" also developed successfully. The band was one of the best-known American garage rock groups at the time. Their music combines psychedelic elements with pop hooks and southern rock influences. Famous albums by the band include Agnes English (1967), Judy in Disguise with Glasses (1968) and Permanent Stowaway (1968). The best-known singles include "Shirley" (1958), "Boogie Children" (1967), "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" (1967), "Hey, Hey Bunny" (1968) and "Down in New Orleans" (1969). After the peak of their career, the band remained regionally successful and continued to perform in the southern states of the USA. In the 1970s and 1980s, John Fred Gourrier released further music projects and worked as a producer and songwriter. John Fred Gourrier is recognized for his influence on garage rock and American pop of the 1960s. His biggest hit became a classic on US pop radio for decades. John Fred Gourrier died in New Orleans on April 15, 2005 at the age of 63 as a result of kidney disease.
