Pioneer Rock and Roll Performer. Real name Ferdinando Dominick Bello. In 1952 he formed Freddie Bell and The Bellboys, one of the first white groups to cover the rhythm and blues hits of the era. After being signed to Teen Records in 1955, one of their first recordings was a cover version of Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog." Elvis Presley, then an opening act at the New Frontier in Las Vegas, allegedly caught a performance of Bell's ensemble at the Sands Hotel, and was so impressed he recorded his own classic version of "Hound Dog." The group was subsequently signed to Mercury Records. In 1956 they were featured alongside Bill Haley and the Comets in the first rock and roll movie, "Rock Around the Clock." The group's single from the film, the novelty song "Giddy Up A Ding Dong," was an international hit, especially in England where it peaked at #4 on the pop charts. Other film appearances followed, including "Rumble on the Docks" and "Get Yourself a College Girl" with co-star Nancy Sinatra. Although The Bellboys disbanded when the hit records stopped coming in the mid-60's, Freddie Bell continued to be a popular solo act in Las Vegas until shortly before he died.
Pioneer Rock and Roll Performer. Real name Ferdinando Dominick Bello. In 1952 he formed Freddie Bell and The Bellboys, one of the first white groups to cover the rhythm and blues hits of the era. After being signed to Teen Records in 1955, one of their first recordings was a cover version of Leiber and Stoller's "Hound Dog." Elvis Presley, then an opening act at the New Frontier in Las Vegas, allegedly caught a performance of Bell's ensemble at the Sands Hotel, and was so impressed he recorded his own classic version of "Hound Dog." The group was subsequently signed to Mercury Records. In 1956 they were featured alongside Bill Haley and the Comets in the first rock and roll movie, "Rock Around the Clock." The group's single from the film, the novelty song "Giddy Up A Ding Dong," was an international hit, especially in England where it peaked at #4 on the pop charts. Other film appearances followed, including "Rumble on the Docks" and "Get Yourself a College Girl" with co-star Nancy Sinatra. Although The Bellboys disbanded when the hit records stopped coming in the mid-60's, Freddie Bell continued to be a popular solo act in Las Vegas until shortly before he died.
Bio by: Miracle Mile Tim
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