Freddie Tieken

American musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, recording engineer, producer, artist manager, music publisher, concert promoter, and designer/graphic artist. For 16 years, he fronted his own bands, playing over 3,500 live gigs and spending thousands of hours in recording sessions. And has owned and operated three recording studios. Born September 25, 1935, Meyer, Illinois; died April 18, 2022, Paradise Valley, Arizona, age 86. Brother of drummer Dennis Tieken. Spouse of Gail Tieken (nee Smith), married on May 14, 1971, who ran bookings and public relations for the couple's various firms. Performed as Freddie Tieken, and later known as Fred Tieken. May also appear on releases misspelled as Fred Teiken. Born 1935 in Meyer, Illinois. Raised in Meyer, Illinois; Quincy, Illinois; and Canton, Missouri. Began performing in the early 1950s with his group Freddie Tieken with His Four Stars, at the Lorraine, Illinois, town hall. Later formed a group The Freddie Tieken Combo. Began working as an automotive assembly mechanical draftsman for Gardner Denver in Quincy, Illinois. Played with the The Mood Notes, in Keokuk, Iowa. Formed Freddie Tieken And The Rockers after meeting Byron "Wild Child" Gipson, with Mark Millspaugh on upright bass, Ron Davis on drums, Wild Child on vocals, piano and guitar, and Freddie on sax and vocals. That band later recorded a single on Hit (9) Records at Boulevard Studios in Chicago, "Sittin' Here Cryin'" b/w "Uncle John," both written by Wild Child, and reached number 24 on the Billboard R&B chart, and later re-released on both the Laurie and Astra labels. Early 1960s, Tieken was hired by and eventually made partner at Creative Printers in Quincy, Illinois, as a commercial artist. Built first recording studio in his basement in Quincy, and founded IT Records (3) with Rockers band co-member Jack Inghram mid-1960s. Late 1960s, changed band name to Freddie Tieken's American Music Band. Ran the ZigZag Club in Turner Hall, Quincy. Renamed his band to ILMO Smokehouse circa 1969, which recorded an album at Beautiful Sounds Studio in Memphis. Stopped performing live after one album to focus on management. In 1973, left position as designer/art director at Creative Printers & Advertising and started his own design firm, housed in a rundown Victorian mansion on Spring Street in Quincy, with a recording studio and rehearsal facility in the basement, the talent agency and design offices on the second floor. With his brother Dennis, reformed "Smokehouse" as a three-piece power trio (Willie Dale III, Dennis Tieken, Micki Free), which eventually was renamed The Ultimate Flash. Founded concert lighting firm Lighting by Libra in mid-1970s. Relocated from Quincy to Northeast Rogers Park, Chicago, late 1970s. Renovated a house there, with a recording studio in the basement, and graphic design, photography and talent agency offices on the upper floors, called Armageddon Talent Associates (ATA) Recording/Rehearsal Studios (ATA Studios, Chicago), opened December 17, 1979. During this time, produced and recorded artists, including on his own label Rogers Park Records, and provided graphic design services, including for Ovation Records, Gerim Studios, and Chess Recording Studios. Relocated 1986 to Phoenix, Arizona, and opened Tieken Design & Creative Services studio on Central Avenue. In 2002, relocated to Paradise Valley, Arizona, and wound down his business activities. He and Gail opened Tieken Gallery art gallery in 2015 in Paradise Valley, Arizona.