1. Fred Below was the drummer on Chuck Berry's song "Johnny B Goode".
10 Facts About Fred Below
1. 2.
Fred Below started learning music and playing drums in the DuSable High School and at about the age of 14, formed a sort of a jazz band with two of his high school friends, Johnny Griffin and Eugene Wright.
3.
In 1946, when he was discharged from his service and came back home to Chicago, Below attended the reputable Roy C Knapp School of Percussion, from which he graduated in 1948, and in which he received a wide and thorough musical education.
4.
Fred Below re-enlisted the army in 1948, this time as part of the Special Services, and he served in Germany as a member of the 427th Army band.
5.
Back in Chicago, Fred Below joined the Aces, a band comprising the guitar-playing brothers Louis and Dave Myers and the harmonica player Junior Wells.
6.
In 1955, Fred Below left Little Walter's band to concentrate on working as a session musician for Chess Records.
7.
Fred Below played on hit records for Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Rogers, Elmore James, Otis Rush, and Howlin' Wolf.
8.
Fred Below worked with bassist Willie Dixon, Little Walter, and guitarist Robert Lockwood, Jr.
9.
Fred Below rejoined the Myers brothers for a tour of Europe in 1970.
10.
Fred Below died of liver cancer on August 13,1988, in Chicago, at the age of 61.