Performance · Production

Fred Smith

real name Fred Sledge Smith

Fred Smith is credited on 1,188 releases across 325 albums tracked on Gatefold, active 1954–2024 — the collector-built map of who actually made the music.

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1,188

Credits

325

Albums

Decades active

197

In collections

Biography

source

American songwriter (IPI #: 28985244) and record producer, born May 18, 1933, in Los Angeles, California; died July 25, 2005, in Los Angeles, California (age 72). Son of Effie Smith and Fred Smith; stepson of John Criner.
Began career first at an aircraft manufacturing company, then at Keene Records, studying under Bumps Blackwell. Met Cliff Goldsmith, and they became partners.
He worked with The Olympics, Bob & Earl, Bill Cosby and The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band, which was his group of session musicians. Smith and Goldsmith started the Tempe label in 1962. In 1965, was a partner in the Mirwood label. In 1966, founded Keymen Records, and its subsidiary MoSoul in 1967. Later worked at Stax Records alongside his mother, and formed the label Songsmith, before leaving the music business.

Bio from Discogs