A native of Louisiana, John Fred was born in Baton Rogue and was a resident garage band leader in New Orleans throughout the 1960s. He and his Playboy Band are most well-known for his 1968 number 1 bubblegum pop rock single, "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)". The album featuring the hit single is an underground psychedelic bubblegum pop classic and is highly sought out after record collectors.