Born in Viroqua, Wisconsin, he learned to play drums as a boy. Later he took up xylophone and at 13 changed to piano. He studied with a local teacher throughout high school. At 17 his parents moved to Chicago where he continued his musical training. He met Rosy McHargue, a well known clarinetist, who took him to hear many leading musicians including Bix Beiderbecke and Earl Hines. His first job was with Johnny Tobin at the Beach View Gardens. He later moved to Los Angeles where he worked with Henry Halstead, Earl Burtnett and Lennie Hayton, before joining Ben Pollack in 1934.
He played with the Jimmy Dorsey Band in the 1930s and was a charter member of the Will Bradley Orchestra when it formed in 1939. Known to bandmates as "Daddy Slack," he played the piano solo on Bradley's recording of "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar", one of the early white boogie-woogie hits and a classic of the Big Band era.
After forming his own band in 1942 and signing with the newly-founded Capitol Records, he recorded three songs at the third Capitol recording session on May 21, 1942. His recording of "Cow Cow Boogie," sung by the 17-year-old Ella Mae Morse, was the second record Capitol issued on July 1, and by July 25 it had reached number 1 on the hit parade. It was Capitol's first gold single.
T-Bone Walker was a member of Slack's band from 1942 to 1944 and Slack later accompanied Walker on his first solo recording for Capitol, Mean Old World. This band also had a hit with "Strange Cargo."
Slack continued to record with Capitol until at least 1950, recording some 80 tracks for the label.
Slack also recorded as an accompanist for Big Joe Turner, Johnny Mercer, Margaret Whiting, and Lisa Morrow.
In the original version of the song "Down the Road a Piece", recorded in 1940 by the Will Bradley Orchestra, Slack is mentioned in the lyrics:
If you wanna' hear some boogie then I know the place
It's just an old piano and a knocked-out bass.
The drummer-man's a guy they call 8-beat Mack
You remember Doc and old "Beat Me Daddy" Slack.
Man it's better than chicken fried in bacon grease
Come along with me boys, it's just down the road a piece.
"Eight Beat Mack" refers to drummer Ray McKinley, and "Doc" refers to the band's bass player, Doc Goldberg.
His 1955 album Boogie Woogie on the 88 featured a horn section including jazz musicians Shorty Sherock and Herbie Harper among others, and with arrangements by Benny Carter.
He also co-wrote the 1945 classic "The House of Blue Lights" first recorded with singer Ella Mae Morse, and later by Chuck Miller, The Andrews Sisters, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Down The Road
Freddie Slack Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just an old piano and a knocked out bass
The drummer man's a guy they call eight beat Mac
You remember Doc and old Beat Me Daddy Slack
Mammy's sellin' chicken fried in bacon grease
Well come along with me boys it's just down the road a piece.
Now there's a place you really get your kicks
If you want to hear some boogie then you'll get your fill
Puts the eight beat to you like an old steam mill
Come along with me boys 'fore they lose their lease
It's just down the road, down the road a piece.
The lyrics to Freddie Slack's song “Down The Road” paint a picture of a rowdy joint where the music is always hot and the atmosphere is electric. The singer describes the location as a place where one can hear some good ol' Boogie. The composition is centered on the piano and bass, with a fantastic drummer called eight beat Mac, who provides the rhythm. The lyrics reminisce about names such as Doc and Beat Me Daddy Slack, emphasizing the history and culture of the place. The mention of Mammy's chicken fried in bacon grease gives the impression that the audience is enjoying a gritty down-home experience.
The lyricist then draws the listener's attention to another place they can find some entertainment. This establishment is open every night from twelve to six, and it's great for hearing that boogie, the eight beat beat that is likened to an old steam mill. The invitation is for the listener to tag along with the singer and his friends before the lease on the location expires. The song's vibe is that of adventure and excitement, offering the perfect escapism from the mundane happenings of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to hear some Boogie, then I know the place
I can take you to a spot where you can listen to some great Boogie music
It's just an old piano and a knocked out bass
The musical instruments at this place are just a piano and a bass that's not in the best condition
The drummer man's a guy they call eight beat Mac
The drummer's nickname is eight beat Mac, and he's quite skilled
You remember Doc and old Beat Me Daddy Slack
You might recollect Doc and Beat Me Daddy Slack, two iconic musical figures
Mammy's sellin' chicken fried in bacon grease
You can also purchase some delicious chicken fried in bacon grease from Mammy while you jam to the music
Well come along with me boys it's just down the road a piece.
So let's go down the road for a bit, and I'll take you there
Now there's a place you really get your kicks
This establishment is really an entertaining and enjoyable spot
It's open every night about twelve to six
This place is in operation every night from twelve until six in the morning
If you want to hear some boogie then you'll get your fill
If you're looking for some boogie, you'll definitely be satisfied here
Puts the eight beat to you like an old steam mill
The drummer plays the eight beat with such force that it feels like an old steam mill is churning next to you
Come along with me boys 'fore they lose their lease
Let's go check out the place before it's gone due to them losing their lease
It's just down the road, down the road a piece.
As I mentioned, it's located down the road a bit, but it's definitely worth the trip.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON RAYE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
teddyandchop
I appreciate your keeping my father's legacy alive, I have fought long and hard for his talent to be recognized and I at least got his record company to put a plaque in the Capitol Records tower saying that Cow Cow Boogie was the first million selling record for the company, and hopefully I will be able to get a star on the walk of fame for him too. He was one of the most talented musicians ever and I thank all of you for your kind comments. Thanks again, Robert Frederic Slack
Dennis Wilson
Willie Nelson reconsigned your dad in an interview
Richard Melville
My uncle, Sgt. Robert Dorchester was assigned to be the driver for Freddy Slack when he was entertaining the troops in Berlin shortly after the German surrender. He always said the Freddy was a wonderful guy and that driving him from place to place was a real pleasure. I am a real fan of boogie woogie and Freddy Slack.
v8pilot
Mr Slack, How interesting to read your comment.
I was a student in Bournemouth, England, in 1962 and, in a second-hand shop, I found and bought a 10" 33rpm LP of boogie woogie by Freddie Slack. It was my first boogie woogie record. I wish I still had it.
Eeco Rijken Rapp
Thanks all for the kind words..lets all keep boogie woogie alive !! Thumbs up if you agree with me! :)
SatchmoSings
Very fine, straight-ahead recording; no gimmicks and it really swings. The only thing wrong with it is that it's not long enough!
CarleMagne
As a kid I would listen to the Stones covering Chuck Berry with this and other tunes, and only today did I realize that Chuck himself covered this one. This original is fantastic.
AllBobsAllTheTime
Hell, Chuck was a kid when they did this one.
Jim Dandy
Don Raye
Abcde
It's amazing all the bands that covered this song. Over 100 bands! Rolling stones, jerry lee lewis, bruce springstein, amos milburn, chuck berry, Foghat, Manfred Mann, Brownsville Station, Glenn Miller Orch.....sooooo many