Godspeed Freddy Cannon

Freddy Cannon, best known for such songs as "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "Palisades Park," and "Action," died on July 17, 2026, at the age of 89. He also appeared on Svengoolie and wrote the songs "Svengoolie Stomp" and "Hey, Svengoolie" for the show.Freddy Cannon was born Frederick Anthony Picariello, Jr. on December 4, 1936, in Revere, Massachusetts. He grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts. His father was a truck driver, but also sang and played the trumpet in local bands. Exposed to music early in life, Freddy Cannon listened to such music artists as Big Joe Turner and Buddy Johnson on the radio. He was very young when he learned to play guitar. He made his recording debut playing guitar on the single "Cha-Cha-Do" by The Spindrifts, which proved to be a local hit in the Lynn, Massachusetts area. He also played guitar on The G-Clefs' single "Ka-Ding Dong," which peaked at no. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.Freddy Cannon formed his own band, Freddy Karmon & The Hurricanes, which achieved…