Fred Lewis Obituary
Fred Lewis, the esteemed drummer who lent his dynamic beats to the funk-infused melodies of Lakeside, has taken his final bow, leaving behind a resonating legacy in the world of music. His passing on September 14, 2023, at the age of 72, marked a poignant moment in the annals of music history.
Fred’s rhythmic prowess was pivotal to Lakeside’s ascent to fame, with their 1981 chart-topping hit, “Fantastic Voyage,” becoming an anthem of its era. His percussive artistry provided the backbone for the band’s grooves, captivating audiences and igniting dance floors.
As we bid farewell to Fred Lewis, we remember not only the beats that reverberated through his drumsticks but also the enduring spirit of funk and soul that he infused into Lakeside’s music. His contribution remains etched in the hearts of fans, a testament to the timeless power of his musical journey.
Fred Lewis Obituary – Death: Drummer for the Funk Band Lakeside
Fred Lewis’s legacy
Fred Lewis was an integral member of Lakeside from the band’s inception in Dayton, Ohio, during the early 1970s. His musical talents extended to playing congas, timbales, and various other percussion instruments. Lakeside first made waves in 1978 with their hit “It’s All the Way Live” from the album “Shot of Love.” Just two years later, they achieved their greatest success with the release of “Fantastic Voyage.” The album’s title track garnered significant airplay in early 1981 and soared to the summit of the R&B chart. “Fantastic Voyage” also achieved crossover success in the pop music realm, becoming Lakeside’s sole song to grace the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 55. The band went on to produce further hits such as “Your Love Is on the One,” “Outrageous,” and a notable cover of the Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” which climbed to No. 4 on the R&B chart. Fred Lewis’s contributions to Lakeside’s iconic sound left an indelible mark on the world of music.
Tributes to Fred Lewis on Social
“It’s been a few days, but I have to give a special RIP to Fred Lewis of the Funk band Lakeside. Their Unsung episode was the first one that I appeared in back in 2015. As a kid, he was always the most identifiable member of the band to me when I looked at their album covers. I actually saw him in person in the summer of 1999 when a concert featuring Lakeside and the Bar-Kays got canceled because of extreme heat that day in Chicago. I remember thinking “hey that’s my man from Lakeside!“ I never got to meet him but his contributions to, not only his own band, but playing on sessions for label mates like Shalamar and The Whispers, will never be forgotten. If you want to hear Fred Lewis at his best, check out the percussion breakdown to Lakeside‘s first hit “It’s All The Way Live“; a song that he wrote”.
Tributes to Fred Lewis on Social
