The Fire Department Blues

Another parody song based on Eddie Cochrane's "Summertime Blues". An Air Force related version of the tune (Gagetown Blues) is in one of my "Air Force Days" videos posted earlier. This time the lyrics are related o working at the Fire Department.

More from the band Showdown

Here are 3 songs from the Canadian group Showdown from the 1970's, including the Rodeo song. The 2nd cut reminds me of Ken Moores playing at his farm when he was into Bluegrass music.

The Rodeo Song

Another popular song among my crew back in the day, was The Rodeo Song by the western Canada group Showdown. Here's an inventive video that was put together by a fan.

MacLean & MacLean "I've Seen Pubic Hair"

Another classic recording from this duo, back in there day. Sadly both of them have passed away.

MacLean & MacLean "Toilet Rock" exerpt

MacLean & MacLean were obscure Canadian performers back in the 1970's. I had this album at one time & their brand of comic lewd songs were known among some of my crew back then, and a few of their songs were hits among colleagues in the Air Reserve. Like a number of the non-mainstream acts back then, I don't think their material was ever released on CD or other digital media, so this YouTube conversion is a treat!

He Ain't Gonna Jump No More song

This song goes by various titles: "Blood on The Risers" or "I'd Like to Find the Sargeant", or another variant is "He'll Never Fly Home Again", etc. But they all have the same chorus - "Gory, Gory what a hell of a way to die". All variants are to the tune of John Brown's Body. This is one if not the best version I've found. Apparently this song is played every day at Fort Bragg in the US.

Debbie Wares Cottage in Haliburton

Some of you from era at 400 Squadron will recall Deb Ware. Here's footage shot at her family's cottage circa 1990. Recently had a comment posted on this at YouTube by Deb! It is amazing how people find these things & come out of the woodwork after many years! I found the same thing when I posted Super 8 movies from High School. It really is true that people "Google" their names & see what comes up, given enough time.

The Airman's Prayer song

This is a military song we sang 30 years ago. In the book ``Songs From The Front & Rear`` published 1979, it`s also referred to as ``The First Thing They Asked For`` but the `Airman`s Song Book` says that The Airman`s Prayer goes back to the 1930`s RAF. The version we sang was adapted by the Canadian Air Force of the time, so lyrics & verses vary.

Another Letter from Kandahar

Today's post is another letter just received from a Canadian Armed Forces member serving with the helicopters in Afghanistan.

Good morning to you. I am a female Canadian Soldier deployed with
CHF(A) ( Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan). We received some Xmas
Cards with Tim Horton gift certificates in them and cannot tell you how
greatfull we are for your generous support to the troops. For you to
take the time to send a card & a Tim Cards means a lot to our soldiers.
A little background on myself this is my first deployment here and what
an experience. Being here is not easy and especially at Christmas time.
We here had it rough over the holidays while our loved one were sitting
down to enjoy Christmas Eve we were on the ramp sending another Canadian
home from the war. Then of course New Years Day we were back again
sending four more home. This sure plays on your emotion and when most
are missing home at that time it did not make it easy. But we all know
what we are here for and pulled together to make the best of the holiday
season. I must say the support that we received over the holidays from
fellow Canadians was amazing. Little did I know that so many Canadians
would take the time from their busy sechedules to either send a note or
a card to any Canadian Soldiers. I have watched some who do not receive
much from home and getting these words of support means a lot to them.
Some have been coresponding with the letters that we passed on to them.
We here at the Helicopter Squadron tried to repond to any with a return
address. Sorry it took a month to get a note of Thanks off to you. I
will close again with a great big Thanks from all of us here with
Canadian Helicopter Force. The Timies is a great welcome to our troops.
Just found out that they are moving the location to be closer to where
the Canadians are housed and when deployment here in 2011 is complete it
will be portable and be sent to the next deployment that Canada is
called out for.

Again Thanks Very Much

Patty MacWilliams
Warrant Officer
Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan

Freddy K original song "Dancin All Nite"

This song was inspired by the Thursday night disco dances at the Appolo Lounge in the Junior Ranks Mess at CFB Toronto (Downsview) back in my day. Although the song refers to one girl in particular, it really is inspired by all of them! The video is a fitting film clip from back in the same time period. Put your disco leisure suits on!

Rare AVRO Arrow film

Here's Star Trek's "Scotty" (James Doohan) doing a rare TV production just before the Arrow was cancelled. James Doohan was still working in Canada at this time. He was a RCAF pilot during WW2 & was known as "Bad Boy Doohan", as he use to fly between telephone poles! This rare Avro Arrow film & others can be obtained from www.avroarrow.org

Come Monday Jimmy Buffet karaoke cover

I've done a number of Jimmy Buffet songs over the years. Margaritaville has always been one of them. One of my best times in recent years was the Jimmy Buffett themed party we held where we played & sang his tunes with some of the local garageband musicians! Here's my Freddy K cover of Come Monday.

Time Warp

Today's post is a blast from the past. I remember this Time Warp from 30 odd years ago...and if you recall going to late night screenings with your toast & other paraphenalia, or dancing to this song at the Appolo Lounge in the Junior Ranks Mess at Downsview, then let's do it again!

Buddy Holly "Peggy Sue" cover (with lyrics)

I enjoyed performing Buddy Holly's songs since the mid 1970's, especially this one! Here's Freddy K's karaoke cover of Peggy Sue.

Sam Cooke - "Bring it on Home to Me" tribute

Freddy K's karaoke cover of Sam Cooke's 1962 hit. With lyrics. My Air Reserve buddies & I use to play this tune on guitar, back in the late 1970's. It wasn't one of my songs, as actually it was a buddy's girlfriend's favourite & for years we referred to it as Dorothy's Song. Well, we never seemed to get all the verses right, back in those days. Here's the correct version of "Bring it on Home to Me".

Freddy K's version of "Dream"

Here's one of my favourite songs by the Everly Brothers, All I Have To Do Is Dream. It's a song I use to do on guitar & sing with a few Air Reserve buddies 30 years ago. This is my recent karaoke version.

Freddy K's Tribute to Lou Bega's "Tricky Tricky"

My karaoke cover of my favourite Lou Bega song.

B-58 Champion of Champions Parts 1 to 3

Here's a rare series narrated by Jimmy Stewart about the B-58 Hustler bomber.

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:

Freddy K Karaoke

Here's my tribute to the Romantics great tune "What I Like About You"



Remember Clark Griswold's pool fantasy, in the movie "Christmas Vacation"? Well here's my cover of Bing Crosby/Jimmy Buffett's renditions of "Mele Kalikimaka"...



These tunes may be rough but I try to do them in a single take, just like karaoke down at the local bar. No opportunity for multiple takes, punch-ins, or voice-overs there!

Louisianna Blues by Freddy K

Here's an original tune that goes back to the late 1970's.

Freddy K Music Videos

I do a lot of parody songs, but today's post deals with some original tunes. Some of these videos have been posted at YouTube for awhile but I'm guessing many have not seen them before.

Let's take a comic trip down south of the border to Mexico...


Then there's Every beat of my Heart & Trouble...


Come sailing in the Eastern Caribbean. Ya mon, She Likes It Like That...


The last one was a tribute to the Fire Service "Alarms". Among the images are one colleague who became paralysed & another who died.

Freddy K cover of Copperhead Road

I do like my karaoke! I guess I've always been partial to this tune, as my grand parents made moonshine in Manitoba in the 1920's or '30's & grand daddy was arrested by the Mounties! Also the references to the military, engine builds ( I've done a few in my time), dope (yep use to toke)!

445 Squadron France CF100's

Great clip for Clunks!

Rare CF100 Canuck Clip

Here's a rare bit from AVRO for fans of the "Clunk" or "Lead Sled".
The entire video, as well as a collection on the Avro Arrow, can be obtained from www.avroarrow.org

CF101 Voodoo Aerobatic Team 1977

Where were you when Voodoos flew? If you recall the days of 101's at Bagotville or Chatham, then this one's for you!