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Scrumpy & Western The definitive guide to the West Country music |
Fred Wedlock"The Oldest Swinger In Town!"biography | discography | gigs | links | acknowledgments Who Is Fred Wedlock?Once described as a "West Country Billy Connolly, although he probably came first", Bristolian singer and raconteur Fred Wedlock has been performing in folk clubs and concerts since the late 1960s. Born on 23rd May 1942, he was born and brought up in a pub, where his first paid gig was at the age of four singing to the customers for which his fee was sixpence (6d). Fred experimented with several careers, including teaching in the East End of London, before turning professional in the early 1970s. Fred had various albums on small labels issued in the 1970s, and became widely known early in 1981 when his single The Oldest Swinger In Town hit the UK singles charts, rising to #6. Unfortunately he has never maintained that success, but the song is almost guaranteed to be played at family gatherings such as wedding receptions, as the middle-aged uncles and aunts take to the floor to gyrate after a few drinks. Following that success, Fred has had his own UK Channel 4 TV series Wholly Wedlock and acted as a presenter on other West Country TV shows. He also shared a BBC Radio series with Somerset jazz clarinettist Acker Bilk. Amongst his albums are The Folker (1971); Frollicks (1973); Out Of Wedlock (1978); This Is Fred Wedlock (1981); The Oldest Swinger In Town (1981); and Fred Wedlock Live (1982). The title song of The Folker was a parody of the Simon & Garfunkel song The Boxer and was recorded by Irish folk-singer/comedian Noel Murphy, who also used to include it in his act. Fred has a deep love of the West Country, especially his native Bristol. He's an acknowledged authority on the local dialect, and is keen on all sports. A true Bristol City fan, Fred comes from a famous footballing family - his father and uncles have played for Bristol City and his grandfather won 26 England caps and played in the FA Cup final. Adge Cutler fans may like to note that Fred has recorded the Adge Cutler song Thee's Got'n Where Thee Cassn't Back'n Hassn't? - I can remember Fred singing this on TV a while back, but I can't remember what show it was on. He also recorded a song called I Couldn't Spell ****, also recorded by Adge Cutler & The Wurzels - although in their version "****" was spelt "!!**&@&**!!", which just goes to prove that it's not easy! Another song recorded by both Adge and Fred is the old folk club standard (My) Threshing Machine. Finally, Fred has recorded Adge's Bristol song Virtute Et Industrial - Fred's version was included in a "mini-LP" about Bristol. Fred is a presenter on the Bristol-based HTV West independent TV channel. I found out from Bonny Sartin of the Dorset-based The Yetties that Fred was booked to appear at the 1998 Yetties' Christmas gig but unfortunately he was forced to cancel, having suffered a heart attack. Fred made a full recovery and was able to perform at the 1999 bash and has been going strong ever since. In June 2002, Fred compered and appeared at the famous Pensford Festival along with Acker Bilk, The Wurzels and The Blue Note Jazz Band featuring Hannah Wedlock (Fred's daughter!). So that's Fred - "fawk" singer, comedian, raconteur, and - last but not least - a nicer bloke you couldn't wish to meet! 
Fred Wedlock Discography
Other Recordings featuring Fred Wedlock
Fred Wedlock Links
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