Fred “Timbales” Lewis, original member of the Platinum Funk Band Lakeside, known for their monster hit “Fantastic Voyage,” has passed away at age 72. He died peacefully Thursday morning surrounded by his daughter, son and their grandmother.
Fred was the author of Lakeside’s very first hit record, “It’s All The Way Live.” With that song as the catalyst for a successful recording career, Lakeside recorded for Solar Records from the late 70s until the late 80s, producing such other great funk music as “Your Love Is On The One,” From 9 Until,” “Something About That Woman” and their Funk Anthem, “Fantastic Voyage.” Fred joined the band in 1972, when the group was known as “The Ohio Lakeside Express.”
With Fred’s background as a master of such percussion instruments as the timbales, congas and bongos, he had a great feel for a funk groove, which gave him the ability to create such funky beats as the ones that gave birth to his compositions, “Its’ All The Way Live,” and “Pull My Strings.”
Also known as “Big Fred,” he played percussion and the Bass Synthesizer on stage with the band for over 40 years before health issues prevented him from continuing to perform live. Fred is survived by daughters Karla and Kiki and son Fred, Jr. and his grandchildren.
R.I.P. Fred
