Music
Freddie Gorman
1939–2006 · singer, songwriter, producer
Detroit mail carrier turned songwriter who helped write "Please Mr. Postman" and later sang bass-baritone in the Originals.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Los Angeles, California
aged 67- Birth name
- Frederick Cortez Gorman
- Detroit years
- 1939–1970s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Gorman grew up singing on Detroit street corners and recorded with the Qualitones while still in high school; in 1957 he formed the Fideletones with his friends Brian Holland and Sonny Sanders. When that group split he went back to work as a mail carrier, and he met Berry Gordy on his route. When Holland and Robert Bateman were producing the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman", Holland brought in the real-life postman to help with the lyrics, an uncredited contribution for decades. In 1964 he moved to Motown's rival Golden World, co-writing the Reflections' Top 10 hit "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet" and recording solo singles for its Ric-Tic label. After Gordy bought Golden World in 1966, Gorman joined the Originals, who sang backup on countless Motown records before Marvin Gaye gave them "Baby, I'm for Real" and "The Bells". Their 1976 "Down to Love Town" was Motown's first 12-inch single.
Highlights
- Co-wrote "Please Mr. Postman" (1961) while working as a mailman
- Co-wrote the Reflections' "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet" (1964)
- Member of the Originals ("Baby, I'm for Real", "The Bells")
- Recorded solo singles for Detroit's Ric-Tic label
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · 1964–1966
Golden World studio (Motown Studio B)
Closed
He wrote for Golden World and cut solo singles for its Ric-Tic label; Motown bought the studio in 1966.
Recorded here · 1961–1972
Motown Museum
He worked here as a writer and later sang backup with the Originals on many Motown sessions.
Buried here · 2006
Elmwood Cemetery
His grave (per Wikidata).