Bobby Freeman, 'Do You Want To Dance' Singer, Dies At 76

Bobby Freeman

BOBBY FREEMAN, whose 1958 pop hit “Do You Want to Dance” was covered by, among others, the BEACH BOYS, THE RAMONES and BETTE MIDLER, died JANUARY 23rd at his home in DALY CITY, CA, at 76 from a heart attack.

FREEMAN was still a teenager when he wrote and recorded the song that became his signature, with a driving LATIN beat and celebratory guitar solo, reaching #5 on the BILLBOARD Hot 100. 

FREEMAN toured with FATS DOMINO and JACKIE WILSON, appearing on television shows like “AMERICAN Bandstand.” 

His version of “Do You Want to Dance” (also known as “Do You Wanna Dance,” with and without the question mark) embodied the spirit of early rock ’n’ roll, but the secret to the song’s longevity was the various interpretations by other artists.

THE BEACH BOYS reached #12 on the BILLBOARD chart in 1965 with an up-tempo close-harmony interpretation. JOHN LENNON recorded a dreamy reggae version, while THE RAMONES' buzzsaw version was a punk staple. Both THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS and BETTE MIDLER slowed the song down, with MIDLER's version peaking at #17 on the BILLBOARD chart in 1973. 

The song was also featured on the soundtrack of GEORGE LUCAS' 1973 rock ’n’ roll coming-of-age film “AMERICAN Graffiti."

FREEMAN's other hits included 1964's “C’mon and Swim” (a young SLY STONE was its producer and a co-writer), reaching #5 on BILLBOARD. “Betty Lou Got A New Pair Of Shoes”  also charted in 1958
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ROBERT THOMAS FREEMAN was born in northern CALIFORNIA on JUNE 13th, 1940, and raised in SAN FRANCISCO, joining THE ROMANCERS, a doo-wop group, out of high school.

In addition to his son ROBERT, his survivors include another son, JERRALD; his partner of 17 years, MICHELE ELLEN; two daughters, APRIL FREEMAN and NICHOLE HACKETT, and several grandchildren.

FREEMAN spent years performing at clubs in SAN FRANCISCO, LAKE TAHOE, RENO, LAS VEGAS and other cities after his hitmaking years were behind him.

“I’m just as content as I could be with what I’m doing,” he told the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE in 1990. “I have no complaints whatsoever.”

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