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Roberta Freeman

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Roberta Freeman
Background information
OriginNew York City, U.S.
Genres
OccupationSinger
Websiterobertafreeman.com

Roberta Freeman is an American singer, best known for her work with Guns N' Roses,[1] Pink Floyd,[1] Cinderella,[1] Engelbert Humperdinck,[2] and Mary Wilson's Supremes.[3] According to Rolling Stone, "Freeman was one of six women brought into the madness of GN’R for their marathon ‘Use Your Illusion’ tour."[4] Fellow female musicians include Tracey Amos, Cece Worrall, Lisa Maxwell, Anne King and Diane Jones.

"All were brought on board in the early stages of the Use Your Illusion tour in the summer of 1991, and they stuck around until it wrapped up two years later. As touring members... they played a huge role in shaping the band’s sound during their commercial peak."[4]

Vocal work

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In 2022, Freeman performed with Jon Batiste on We Are,[5] which won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.[6] In 2021, Freeman released a cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." Featuring Classless Act’s Derek Day, Guns N’ Roses’, Teddy Andreadis,  Jane’s Addiction’s Stephen Perkins, and Gwen Stefani’s Derek Frank.[7] The accompanying music video was filmed at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, CA and shot by award-winning cinematographer Michael Franks. Freeman performed at the 2022, 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade supporting Marine Toys for Tots with The Jet Velocity Holiday All Star Band led by Jason Ebs (Peter Criss) and Janea Chadwick Ebs (Joe Cocker & ECOTONIC), featuring Teddy Andreadis (Guns N’ Roses), Glen Sobel  (Alice Cooper), Britt Lightning (Vixen), Mitch Perry (Cher and Edgar Winter), and Adam Kury (Candlebox).[8]

Freeman serves as vocal director, arranger, and choreographer with Scott Page’s all-star celebrity rockstar Pink Floyd Tribute Band, Think:EXP featuring Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Norwood Fisher (Fishbone), Kenny Olson (Kid Rock), Derek Day ( Classless Act), Tony Franklin (The Firm), Kitten Kuroi (Elvis Costello), Melonie Taylor (Bette Midler), and Carol Hatchett, and The Voice’s Will Champlin aka Kill Will, son of former Chicago member Bill Champlin.

Personal life

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A native of New York City, Freeman spent her early childhood in Brooklyn, then later moved to Co-op City with her family. She was the second of two girls born to African-American father, James Freeman, and Russian-Jewish mother, Gertrude. Her sister is award winning children's book illustrator, Laura Freeman.

Associated acts

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Live performances

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Think:EXP (2018 - )

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Nick Waterhouse (2014 - )

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Weezer (2019)

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Annabella Lwin's Bow Wow Wow (2019)

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Sugaray Rayford (2019)

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Nasty Housewives (2017–2018)

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Brit Floyd (2014–2018)

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The Pretty Reckless (2017)

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Engelbert Humperdinck (2011–2012)

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(International) Released Tour

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Greene, Andy (June 24, 2020). "Veteran Backup Singer Roberta Freeman Talks Life on the Road With Guns N'Roses, Pink Floyd". Rolling Stone Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  2. ^ Henson, Joaquin (March 2, 2012). "King Of Romance strikes again". Retrieved July 17, 2020 – via PressReader.
  3. ^ Wilson, Mary (February 7, 2003). "Mary Wilson at the B.B. King Blues Club". Bboogie.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Veteran Backup Singer Roberta Freeman Talks Life on the Road With Guns N' Roses, Pink Floyd". Rolling Stone. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  5. ^ "Roberta Freeman | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  6. ^ "Jon Batiste's 'We Are' Wins GRAMMY For Album Of The Year | 2022 GRAMMYs". Grammy.com. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  7. ^ Simmonds-Ronceros, Samantha (2021-10-14). "Roberta Freeman's "Wish You Were Here"". NoHo Arts District - Theatre, Food, Bars, Shopping and a buzzing community. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  8. ^ "THE JET VELOCITY HOLIDAY ALL STAR BAND". The Hollywood Christmas Parade. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
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