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{{Short description|American lap steel guitarist and singer}}
{{Short description|American lap steel guitarist and singer (1939–2022)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Freddie Roulette
| name = Freddie Roulette
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| birth_name = Frederick Martin Roulette
| birth_name = Frederick Martin Roulette
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1939|5|3|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1939|5|3|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Evanston, Illinois]], United States
| birth_place = [[Evanston, Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|12|24|1939|5|3|mf=y}}
| death_place =
| death_place =
| instrument = [[Lap steel guitar]]
| instrument = [[Lap steel guitar]]
| genre = [[Chicago blues]], [[electric blues]]<ref name="AMG"/>
| genre = [[Chicago blues]], [[electric blues]]<ref name="AMG"/>
| occupation = [[Guitarist]]
| occupation = [[Guitarist]]
| years_active = 1960s&ndash;present
| years_active = 1960s–2022
| label = [[Janus Records|Janus]], [[Rykodisc]], others
| label = [[Janus Records|Janus]], [[Rykodisc]], others
| associated_acts = Daphne Blue / Ray Bronner, [[Henry Kaiser (musician)|Henry Kaiser]], [[Harvey Mandel]], [[Earl Hooker]], the [[The Holmes Brothers|Holmes Brothers]]
| associated_acts = Daphne Blue / Ray Bronner, [[Henry Kaiser (musician)|Henry Kaiser]], [[Harvey Mandel]], [[Earl Hooker]], the [[The Holmes Brothers|Holmes Brothers]]
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}}
}}


'''Frederick Martin Roulette''' (born May 3, 1939) is an [[Americans|American]] [[electric blues]] [[lap steel guitar]]ist and singer. He is best known as an exponent of the [[lap steel guitar]]. He is a member of the band Daphne Blue<ref name="vidstatsx1">{{cite web|url=http://vidstatsx.com/daphneblueband/youtube-channel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044145/http://vidstatsx.com/daphneblueband/youtube-channel |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Daphneblueband YouTube Channel Stats, Subscriber Statistics, Ranking |website=Vidstatsx.com |date= |accessdate=2013-08-12}}</ref> and has collaborated with [[Earl Hooker]], [[Charlie Musselwhite]], [[Henry Kaiser (musician)|Henry Kaiser]], and [[Harvey Mandel]]. He has also released several solo [[album]]s.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/freddie-roulette-mn0000186455/biography|title=Freddie Roulette |author=Harris, Craig |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=October 16, 2011}}</ref> One commentator described Roulette as an "excellent musician".<ref>{{cite book
'''Frederick Martin Roulette''' (May 3, 1939 – December 24, 2022) was an American [[electric blues]] [[lap steel guitar]]ist and singer. He was best known as an exponent of the [[lap steel guitar]]. He was a member of the band Daphne Blue<ref name="vidstatsx1">{{cite web|url=http://vidstatsx.com/daphneblueband/youtube-channel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044145/http://vidstatsx.com/daphneblueband/youtube-channel |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Daphneblueband YouTube Channel Stats, Subscriber Statistics, Ranking |website=Vidstatsx.com |date= |access-date=2013-08-12}}</ref> and collaborated with [[Earl Hooker]], [[Charlie Musselwhite]], [[Henry Kaiser (musician)|Henry Kaiser]], and [[Harvey Mandel]]. He also released several solo [[album]]s.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/freddie-roulette-mn0000186455/biography|title=Freddie Roulette |author=Harris, Craig |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref> One commentator described Roulette as an "excellent musician".<ref>{{cite book
| first= Gérard
| first= Gérard
| last= Herzhaft
| last= Herzhaft
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}}</ref>
}}</ref>


A short documentary of Freddie Roulette appears on the video-sharing site [[YouTube]] that chronicles Roulette's time with the Daphne Blue Band.<ref name="vidstatsx1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qh7ELzF_P0 |title=Freddie Roulette Lap Steel Master (Behind the Scenes Making a Daphne Blue Album) |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2010-11-13 |accessdate=2013-08-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72OASdHYN0Y |title=Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue Sleepwalk Live Santo Johnny |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2007-09-27 |accessdate=2013-08-12}}</ref> The online Blues encyclopedia, "All About Blues Music,"<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutbluesmusic.com/freddie-roulette/|title=FREDDIE ROULETTE|website=Allaboutbluesmusic.com|accessdate=26 December 2018}}</ref> describes Roulette's long tenure with the Daphne Blue Band and notes: "Freddie has also released an album, ‘Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals’ which contains 15 excellent tracks, which [Freddie] considers to be among his finest works."<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/>
A short documentary of Freddie Roulette appears on the video-sharing site [[YouTube]] that chronicles Roulette's time with the Daphne Blue Band.<ref name="vidstatsx1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qh7ELzF_P0 |title=Freddie Roulette Lap Steel Master (Behind the Scenes Making a Daphne Blue Album) |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2010-11-13 |access-date=2013-08-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72OASdHYN0Y |title=Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue Sleepwalk Live Santo Johnny |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=2007-09-27 |access-date=2013-08-12}}</ref> The online Blues encyclopedia, "All About Blues Music,"<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutbluesmusic.com/freddie-roulette/|title=FREDDIE ROULETTE|website=Allaboutbluesmusic.com|date=28 April 2014 |access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref> describes Roulette's long tenure with the Daphne Blue Band and notes: "Freddie has also released an album, ‘Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals’ which contains 15 excellent tracks, which [Freddie] considers to be among his finest works."<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/>

The [[National Association of Music Merchants]] (NAMM) noted "Freddie Roulette pioneered the use of the slide guitar in the blues style. When he began playing slide guitar he was emulating country and western music and felt the instrument would fit nicely in old blues traditions, which he adapted to great success. In fact, his playing has been a strong influence on a new generation of blues musicians both for his strumming style and the emotion he has brought to the instrument."<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/freddie-roulette|title=Freddie Roulette|date=12 June 2016|website=Namm.org|access-date=28 May 2023}}</ref> NAMM compiled an oral history of the artist on video.<ref name="auto"/>


==Biography==
==Biography==
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| isbn= 1-57806-306-X
| isbn= 1-57806-306-X
| page= 230
| page= 230
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-G76U3ikkFAC&pg=PA108#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-G76U3ikkFAC&pg=PA108}}</ref>


Hooker's band, with the pianist [[Pinetop Perkins]], the harmonica player [[Carey Bell]], the vocalist [[Andrew Odom]], and Roulette, was "widely acclaimed" and "considered one of the best Earl had ever carried with him".<ref>{{cite book
Hooker's band, with the pianist [[Pinetop Perkins]], the harmonica player [[Carey Bell]], the vocalist [[Andrew Odom]], and Roulette, was "widely acclaimed" and "considered one of the best Earl had ever carried with him".<ref>{{cite book
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| isbn= 1-57806-306-X
| isbn= 1-57806-306-X
| page= 251
| page= 251
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-G76U3ikkFAC&pg=PA108#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> Roulette performed on several of Hooker's singles; his 1967 album, ''[[The Genius of Earl Hooker]]''; and the 1969 follow-up, ''[[2 Bugs and a Roach]]''.<ref name=jukeblues/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wirz.de/music/hookefrm.htm |title=Illustrated Earl Hooker discography |author=Stefan Wirz |date= |work= |website=Wirz.de |accessdate=October 16, 2011}}</ref>
| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-G76U3ikkFAC&pg=PA108}}</ref> Roulette performed on several of Hooker's singles; his 1967 album, ''The Genius of Earl Hooker''; and the 1969 follow-up, ''[[2 Bugs and a Roach]]''.<ref name=jukeblues/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wirz.de/music/hookefrm.htm |title=Illustrated Earl Hooker discography |author=Stefan Wirz |date= |website=Wirz.de |access-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref>


Roulette later developed a friendship with [[Charlie Musselwhite]] and (credited as Fred Roulette) recorded with him on the 1969 album ''Chicago Blue Stars''.<ref name=jukeblues/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-chicago-blue-stars-mn0002285215|title=The Chicago Blue Stars - Biography, Albums, Streaming Links|website=AllMusic|accessdate=26 December 2018}}</ref> He toured with Musselwhite and backed him on the albums ''Tennessee Woman'' and ''Memphis, Tennessee'', before relocating to the [[San Francisco]], [[California]], area where he has lived ever since.<ref name="Trad"/> He played there in a band with [[Luther Tucker]] and recorded with Earl Hooker's cousin [[John Lee Hooker]].<ref name=jukeblues/>
Roulette later developed a friendship with [[Charlie Musselwhite]] and (credited as Fred Roulette) recorded with him on the 1969 album ''Chicago Blue Stars''.<ref name=jukeblues/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-chicago-blue-stars-mn0002285215|title=The Chicago Blue Stars - Biography, Albums, Streaming Links|website=AllMusic|access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref> He toured with Musselwhite and backed him on the albums ''Tennessee Woman'' and ''Memphis, Tennessee'', before relocating to the [[San Francisco]], [[California]], area where he has lived ever since.<ref name="Trad"/> He played there in a band with [[Luther Tucker]] and recorded with Earl Hooker's cousin [[John Lee Hooker]].<ref name=jukeblues/>


After leaving Chicago for the San Francisco Bay area, Roulette began "teaming up with the 14-year-old guitarist Ray Bronner ('Daphne Blue Ray'), and some veterans from Chicago in the band Daphne Blue, Freddie was often joined by ‘Big Moose’ (Johnny Walker), ‘Pinetop Perkins’ and Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown at gigs and on record."<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/> "Freddie released an album, ''Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals'', which contains 15 excellent tracks, which he considers to be among his finest works."<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/>
After leaving Chicago for the San Francisco Bay area, Roulette began "teaming up with the 14-year-old guitarist Ray Bronner ('Daphne Blue Ray'), and some veterans from Chicago in the band Daphne Blue, Freddie was often joined by ‘Big Moose’ (Johnny Walker), ‘Pinetop Perkins’ and Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown at gigs and on record."<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/> "Freddie released an album, ''Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals'', which contains 15 excellent tracks, which he considers to be among his finest works."<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/>


In 1973, Roulette released his debut solo album, ''Sweet Funky Steel'', which was [[record producer|produced]] by the guitarist [[Harvey Mandel]].<ref name="AMG"/> [[Don "Sugarcane" Harris]] played on several tracks. Over the next twenty years, Roulette continued to perform with other musicians and occasionally led his own band, while also working full-time as an apartment manager. On the 1996 album ''Psychedelic Guitar Circus'', he worked in a group with Mandel, Kaiser and [[Steve Kimock]].<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r254257/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Henry Kaiser, Steve Kimock, Harvey Mandel, Freddie Roulette, ''Psychedelic Guitar Circus'': Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Grammy nominee, producer/composer Larry Hoffman brought Freddie to Chicago where the artist recorded his 1997 solo album, ''Back in Chicago: Jammin' with Willie Kent and the Gents'', with [[Willie Kent]] and [[Chico Banks]], on ''Hi Horse'' Records.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r314275/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Freddie Roulette, ''Back in Chicago: Jammin' with Willie Kent and the Gents'': Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> The album won an award from ''[[Living Blues]]'' magazine as ''Best Blues Album of 1997''.<ref name="jukeblues" /> Following that album's success, Roulette began performing widely at blues festivals and recorded the 1998 album ''Spirit of Steel'', featuring the [[The Holmes Brothers|Holmes Brothers]] and produced by Kaiser. He also contributed to Kaiser's album ''Yo Miles'', a tribute to [[Miles Davis]].<ref name=jukeblues/>
In 1973, Roulette released his debut solo album, ''Sweet Funky Steel'', which was [[record producer|produced]] by the guitarist [[Harvey Mandel]].<ref name="AMG"/> [[Don "Sugarcane" Harris]] played on several tracks. Over the next 20 years, Roulette continued to perform with other musicians and occasionally led his own band, while also working full-time as an apartment manager. On the 1996 album ''Psychedelic Guitar Circus'', he worked in a group with Mandel, Kaiser and [[Steve Kimock]].<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r254257/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Henry Kaiser, Steve Kimock, Harvey Mandel, Freddie Roulette, ''Psychedelic Guitar Circus'': Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> The producer Larry Hoffman brought Roulette to Chicago where the artist recorded his 1997 album, ''Back in Chicago: Jammin' with Willie Kent and the Gents'', backed by the [[Willie Kent]] Band featuring [[Chico Banks]] on guitar. It was released on Hi Horse Records.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r314275/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Freddie Roulette, ''Back in Chicago: Jammin' with Willie Kent and the Gents'': Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> The album won an award from ''[[Living Blues]]'' magazine as 'Best Blues Album of 1997'.<ref name="jukeblues" /> Following that album's success, Roulette began performing widely at blues festivals and recorded the 1998 album ''Spirit of Steel'', featuring the [[The Holmes Brothers|Holmes Brothers]] and produced by Kaiser. He also contributed to Kaiser's album ''Yo Miles'', a tribute to [[Miles Davis]].<ref name=jukeblues/>


Roulette's solo album ''Man of Steel'' (2006) featured guitar playing by [[Will Bernard]] and [[David Lindley (musician)|David Lindley]]; Kaiser also played guitar and produced the album.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r849996/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Freddie Roulette, ''Man of Steel'': Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> It was recorded in [[Fantasy Studios]], in [[Berkeley, California]], and included strains of [[jazz]], [[country music|country]], [[soul music|soul]] and [[reggae]] in the overall blues setting.<ref name="Trad">{{cite web |url=http://www.tradition-moderne.com/eng.php/page/content:artist_a_cd/cd_id/46/artist_id/b415c596671bf4c6d8f378ffaf7a2918/sid/83810f632bb39fef7c913f39ce214e38 |title=''Man of Steel'' (2006) |date= |work= |website=Tradition-moderne.com |accessdate=October 16, 2011}}</ref> In the same year, Roulette played locally in a small combo including [[Mike Hinton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hillbilly-music.com/hillbillymusicblog/2006_01_01_hillbilly-music_archive.html |title=Hillbilly Music |date= |work= |website=Hillbilly-music.com |accessdate=October 16, 2011}}</ref>
Roulette's solo album ''Man of Steel'' (2006) featured guitar playing by [[Will Bernard]] and [[David Lindley (musician)|David Lindley]]; Kaiser also played guitar and produced the album.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r849996/credits|pure_url=yes}} |title=Freddie Roulette, ''Man of Steel'': Credits|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> It was recorded in [[Fantasy Studios]], in [[Berkeley, California]], and included strains of [[jazz]], [[country music|country]], [[soul music|soul]] and [[reggae]] in the overall blues setting.<ref name="Trad">{{cite web |url=http://www.tradition-moderne.com/eng.php/page/content:artist_a_cd/cd_id/46/artist_id/b415c596671bf4c6d8f378ffaf7a2918/sid/83810f632bb39fef7c913f39ce214e38 |title=''Man of Steel'' (2006) |date= |website=Tradition-moderne.com |access-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref> In the same year, Roulette played locally in a small combo including [[Mike Hinton]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hillbilly-music.com/hillbillymusicblog/2006_01_01_hillbilly-music_archive.html |title=Hillbilly Music |date= |website=Hillbilly-music.com |access-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref>


Roulette has played at numerous [[music festival]]s over the years, including the [[Long Beach Blues Festival]], the [[San Francisco Blues Festival]] (1979), and the [[Calgary Folk Music Festival]] (2000). He continues to play club dates in the San Francisco area, often with Mandel. In 2012, ''Jammin' With Friends'' was recorded at three separate studios with various musicians. It was produced by Michael Borbridge, who also played drums on all the tracks.
Roulette played at numerous [[music festival]]s over the years, including the [[Long Beach Blues Festival]], the [[San Francisco Blues Festival]] (1979), and the [[Calgary Folk Music Festival]] (2000). He continued to play club dates in the San Francisco area, often with Mandel. In 2012, ''Jammin' With Friends'' was recorded at three separate studios with various musicians. It was produced by Michael Borbridge, who also played drums on all the tracks.


As of 2015, Roulette still played with Daphne Blue, with Blue Ray Bronner.<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/>
As of 2015, Roulette was still playing with the Daphne Blue Band.<ref name="allaboutbluesmusic.com"/>


In February 2019, the ''[[Chicago Reader]]'' published an article on Roulette and his band members, along with sound clips, titled: "The Secret History of Chicago Music: Pivotal Musicians That Somehow Haven't Gotten Their Just Dues."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/freddie-roulette-is-one-of-the-few-lap-steel-guitarists-in-the-blues/Content?oid=68552234|title=Freddie Roulette is one of the few lap steel guitarists in the blues|author=Steve Krakow|website=Chicagoreader.com|date=February 26, 2019|accessdate=March 23, 2019}}</ref>
In February 2019, the ''[[Chicago Reader]]'' published an article on Roulette and his band members, along with sound clips, titled: "The Secret History of Chicago Music: Pivotal Musicians That Somehow Haven't Gotten Their Just Dues."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/freddie-roulette-is-one-of-the-few-lap-steel-guitarists-in-the-blues/Content?oid=68552234|title=Freddie Roulette is one of the few lap steel guitarists in the blues|author=Steve Krakow|website=Chicagoreader.com|date=February 26, 2019|access-date=March 23, 2019}}</ref>

Roulette died on December 24, 2022, at the age of 83.<ref>{{cite news |title=Freddie Roulette (1939–2022) |url=https://www.soulbag.fr/freddie-roulette-1939-2022/ |access-date=29 December 2022 |publisher=Soul Bag |date=26 December 2022}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
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|-
|-
| 1973 || ''Sweet Funky Steel'' || style="text-align:left;"|[[Janus Records]]
| 1973 || ''Sweet Funky Steel'' || style="text-align:left;"|[[Janus Records]]
|-
| 2022 || ''For Nate''<br /><small>Recorded 1995 with [[Randy Resnick]]</small> || Each Hit Music
|-
|-
| 1995 || ''To Love''<br /><small>with [[Randy Resnick]]</small>|| style="text-align:left;"|Resmo/Night & Day
| 1995 || ''To Love''<br /><small>with [[Randy Resnick]]</small>|| style="text-align:left;"|Resmo/Night & Day
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| 1999 || ''Spirit of Steel'' || style="text-align:left;"|Tradition & Moderne Records
| 1999 || ''Spirit of Steel'' || style="text-align:left;"|Tradition & Moderne Records
|-
|-
| 2000 || ''Black White & Blue: Daphne Blue Band'' || style="text-align:left;"|Daphne Blue<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/daphneblue |title=Daphne Blue, ''Black White & Blue'' |website=Cdbaby.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015MC5MS/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp |title=Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue, ''Black, White & Blue'' |website=Amazon.com |date=2007-09-27 |accessdate=2013-08-12}}</ref>
| 2000 || ''Black White & Blue: Daphne Blue Band'' || style="text-align:left;"|Daphne Blue<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/daphneblue |title=Daphne Blue, ''Black White & Blue'' |website=Cdbaby.com |date= |access-date=2014-08-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015MC5MS/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp |title=Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue, ''Black, White & Blue'' |website=Amazon.com |date=2007-09-27 |access-date=2013-08-12}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2000 || ''10 Picture Disk'' || style="text-align:left;"|Hi Horse Records
| 2000 || ''10 Picture Disk'' || style="text-align:left;"|Hi Horse Records
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| 2012 || ''Jammin' with Friends''|| style="text-align:left;"|Electric Snake
| 2012 || ''Jammin' with Friends''|| style="text-align:left;"|Electric Snake
|- featuring Harvey Mandel, Pete Sears, Michael Borbridge, Rich Kirch, Barry Melton, Kathi Mc Donald, Steve Evans, Michael Warren, Eugene Huggins, Terry Hanck, Davis LaFlamme, Chris Cobb, Davey Peterson, and others
|- featuring Harvey Mandel, Pete Sears, Michael Borbridge, Rich Kirch, Barry Melton, Kathi Mc Donald, Steve Evans, Michael Warren, Eugene Huggins, Terry Hanck, Davis LaFlamme, Chris Cobb, Davey Peterson, and others
| 2015 || ''Daphne Blue, The Legendary Blues Instrumentals'' <br /><small>featuring [[Earl Hooker]], Ray Bronner, Freddie Roulette, [[Pinetop Perkins]], Big Moose Walker, and [[Buddy Miles]]</small>|| style="text-align:left;"|Steel Blue Records (reissue of vinyl collectors' edition album)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/freddieroulettedaphneblu |title=Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue, ''Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals'' |website=Cdbaby.com |date= |accessdate=2015-02-25}}</ref>
| 2015 || ''Daphne Blue, The Legendary Blues Instrumentals'' <br /><small>featuring [[Earl Hooker]], Ray Bronner, Freddie Roulette, [[Pinetop Perkins]], Big Moose Walker, and [[Buddy Miles]]</small>|| style="text-align:left;"|Steel Blue Records (reissue of vinyl collectors' edition album)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/freddieroulettedaphneblu |title=Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue, ''Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals'' |website=Cdbaby.com |date= |access-date=2015-02-25}}</ref>
|}
|-
<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p120588/discography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Freddie Roulette": Discography: Main Albums|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref name=jukeblues/>
|}<ref name=jukeblues/><ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p120588/discography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Freddie Roulette": Discography: Main Albums|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/freddie-roulette Freddie Roulette Interview, NAMM Oral History Library (2016)]
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/freddie-roulette Freddie Roulette Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Library]] (2016)
* {{discogs artist|Freddie Roulette}}



{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Roulette, Freddie}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roulette, Freddie}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:American blues guitarists]]
[[Category:American blues guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
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[[Category:Electric blues musicians]]
[[Category:Electric blues musicians]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:Slide guitarists]]
[[Category:American slide guitarists]]
[[Category:Steel guitarists]]
[[Category:Steel guitarists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Evanston, Illinois]]
[[Category:Musicians from Evanston, Illinois]]
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[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American men]]

Latest revision as of 03:52, 6 April 2024

Freddie Roulette
Background information
Birth nameFrederick Martin Roulette
Born(1939-05-03)May 3, 1939
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 24, 2022(2022-12-24) (aged 83)
GenresChicago blues, electric blues[1]
Occupation(s)Guitarist
Instrument(s)Lap steel guitar
Years active1960s–2022
LabelsJanus, Rykodisc, others

Frederick Martin Roulette (May 3, 1939 – December 24, 2022) was an American electric blues lap steel guitarist and singer. He was best known as an exponent of the lap steel guitar. He was a member of the band Daphne Blue[2] and collaborated with Earl Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, Henry Kaiser, and Harvey Mandel. He also released several solo albums.[1] One commentator described Roulette as an "excellent musician".[3]

A short documentary of Freddie Roulette appears on the video-sharing site YouTube that chronicles Roulette's time with the Daphne Blue Band.[2][4][5] The online Blues encyclopedia, "All About Blues Music,"[6] describes Roulette's long tenure with the Daphne Blue Band and notes: "Freddie has also released an album, ‘Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals’ which contains 15 excellent tracks, which [Freddie] considers to be among his finest works."[6]

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) noted "Freddie Roulette pioneered the use of the slide guitar in the blues style. When he began playing slide guitar he was emulating country and western music and felt the instrument would fit nicely in old blues traditions, which he adapted to great success. In fact, his playing has been a strong influence on a new generation of blues musicians both for his strumming style and the emotion he has brought to the instrument."[7] NAMM compiled an oral history of the artist on video.[7]

Biography[edit]

Roulette's family was originally from New Orleans,[8] but he was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois. He learned to play the steel guitar in high school.[1] He started playing in clubs in Chicago in his teens, and in 1965 began work in Earl Hooker's backing band, touring and performing with him until 1969.[9]

Hooker's band, with the pianist Pinetop Perkins, the harmonica player Carey Bell, the vocalist Andrew Odom, and Roulette, was "widely acclaimed" and "considered one of the best Earl had ever carried with him".[10] Roulette performed on several of Hooker's singles; his 1967 album, The Genius of Earl Hooker; and the 1969 follow-up, 2 Bugs and a Roach.[8][11]

Roulette later developed a friendship with Charlie Musselwhite and (credited as Fred Roulette) recorded with him on the 1969 album Chicago Blue Stars.[8][12] He toured with Musselwhite and backed him on the albums Tennessee Woman and Memphis, Tennessee, before relocating to the San Francisco, California, area where he has lived ever since.[13] He played there in a band with Luther Tucker and recorded with Earl Hooker's cousin John Lee Hooker.[8]

After leaving Chicago for the San Francisco Bay area, Roulette began "teaming up with the 14-year-old guitarist Ray Bronner ('Daphne Blue Ray'), and some veterans from Chicago in the band Daphne Blue, Freddie was often joined by ‘Big Moose’ (Johnny Walker), ‘Pinetop Perkins’ and Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown at gigs and on record."[6] "Freddie released an album, Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals, which contains 15 excellent tracks, which he considers to be among his finest works."[6]

In 1973, Roulette released his debut solo album, Sweet Funky Steel, which was produced by the guitarist Harvey Mandel.[1] Don "Sugarcane" Harris played on several tracks. Over the next 20 years, Roulette continued to perform with other musicians and occasionally led his own band, while also working full-time as an apartment manager. On the 1996 album Psychedelic Guitar Circus, he worked in a group with Mandel, Kaiser and Steve Kimock.[14] The producer Larry Hoffman brought Roulette to Chicago where the artist recorded his 1997 album, Back in Chicago: Jammin' with Willie Kent and the Gents, backed by the Willie Kent Band featuring Chico Banks on guitar. It was released on Hi Horse Records.[15] The album won an award from Living Blues magazine as 'Best Blues Album of 1997'.[8] Following that album's success, Roulette began performing widely at blues festivals and recorded the 1998 album Spirit of Steel, featuring the Holmes Brothers and produced by Kaiser. He also contributed to Kaiser's album Yo Miles, a tribute to Miles Davis.[8]

Roulette's solo album Man of Steel (2006) featured guitar playing by Will Bernard and David Lindley; Kaiser also played guitar and produced the album.[16] It was recorded in Fantasy Studios, in Berkeley, California, and included strains of jazz, country, soul and reggae in the overall blues setting.[13] In the same year, Roulette played locally in a small combo including Mike Hinton.[17]

Roulette played at numerous music festivals over the years, including the Long Beach Blues Festival, the San Francisco Blues Festival (1979), and the Calgary Folk Music Festival (2000). He continued to play club dates in the San Francisco area, often with Mandel. In 2012, Jammin' With Friends was recorded at three separate studios with various musicians. It was produced by Michael Borbridge, who also played drums on all the tracks.

As of 2015, Roulette was still playing with the Daphne Blue Band.[6]

In February 2019, the Chicago Reader published an article on Roulette and his band members, along with sound clips, titled: "The Secret History of Chicago Music: Pivotal Musicians That Somehow Haven't Gotten Their Just Dues."[18]

Roulette died on December 24, 2022, at the age of 83.[19]

Discography[edit]

Year Title Record label
1970 Chicago Blue Stars
with Charlie Musselwhite, Skip Rose, Louis Myers, Jack Myers, Fred Below, Steve Kimock, Harvey Mandel		 Blue Thumb Records
1973 Sweet Funky Steel Janus Records
2022 For Nate
Recorded 1995 with Randy Resnick		 Each Hit Music
1995 To Love
with Randy Resnick		 Resmo/Night & Day
1996 Psychedelic Guitar Circus
with Henry Kaiser, Steve Kimock and Harvey Mandel		 Rykodisc Records
1997 Back in Chicago: Jammin' with Willie Kent and the Gents Hi Horse Records
1999 Spirit of Steel Tradition & Moderne Records
2000 Black White & Blue: Daphne Blue Band Daphne Blue[20][21]
2000 10 Picture Disk Hi Horse Records
2006 Man of Steel Tradition & Moderne Records
2012 Jammin' with Friends Electric Snake
2015 Daphne Blue, The Legendary Blues Instrumentals
featuring Earl Hooker, Ray Bronner, Freddie Roulette, Pinetop Perkins, Big Moose Walker, and Buddy Miles		 Steel Blue Records (reissue of vinyl collectors' edition album)[22]

[8][23]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Harris, Craig. "Freddie Roulette". AllMusic. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Daphneblueband YouTube Channel Stats, Subscriber Statistics, Ranking". Vidstatsx.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2013-08-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ Herzhaft, Gérard; et al. (1997). Encyclopedia of the Blues. Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press. p. 32. ISBN 1-55728-452-0.
  4. ^ "Freddie Roulette Lap Steel Master (Behind the Scenes Making a Daphne Blue Album)". YouTube. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  5. ^ "Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue Sleepwalk Live Santo Johnny". YouTube. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  6. ^ a b c d e "FREDDIE ROULETTE". Allaboutbluesmusic.com. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Freddie Roulette". Namm.org. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Bock, Scott M. (2006). "Freddie Roulette: 'I just decided steel was it'". Juke Blues, no. 61, pp.16–21.
  9. ^ Danchin, Sebastian (2001). Earl Hooker, Blues Master. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. p. 230. ISBN 1-57806-306-X.
  10. ^ Danchin, Sebastian (2001). Earl Hooker, Blues Master. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. p. 251. ISBN 1-57806-306-X.
  11. ^ Stefan Wirz. "Illustrated Earl Hooker discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  12. ^ "The Chicago Blue Stars - Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Man of Steel (2006)". Tradition-moderne.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  14. ^ "Henry Kaiser, Steve Kimock, Harvey Mandel, Freddie Roulette, Psychedelic Guitar Circus: Credits". AllMusic.
  15. ^ "Freddie Roulette, Back in Chicago: Jammin' with Willie Kent and the Gents: Credits". AllMusic.
  16. ^ "Freddie Roulette, Man of Steel: Credits". AllMusic.
  17. ^ "Hillbilly Music". Hillbilly-music.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  18. ^ Steve Krakow (February 26, 2019). "Freddie Roulette is one of the few lap steel guitarists in the blues". Chicagoreader.com. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  19. ^ "Freddie Roulette (1939–2022)". Soul Bag. 26 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Daphne Blue, Black White & Blue". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  21. ^ "Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue, Black, White & Blue". Amazon.com. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
  22. ^ "Freddie Roulette & Daphne Blue, Daphne Blue: Legendary Blues Instrumentals". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  23. ^ "Freddie Roulette": Discography: Main Albums". AllMusic.

External links[edit]


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