Welcome, Benvenudo, Bienvenido, Bienvenue!
About Fred
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Fred was born on Oct/15/1948, in Carpineto Romano, 78 km south east of Rome, Italy. In 1949 his mother & father emigrated to Canada, where his father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad & his mother worked as a professional seamstress for a furrier.
After taking lessons for many years from Maurice Rainville, a guitar teacher in the area where he lived, he played with several rock bands throughout his high school years. In 1967 one year after he graduated, the band he was in, 'The Beasties', entered the professional music business.
All five members took the big plunge! These musicians were Jim Norris on drums (now President & CEO of NWC, publisher of Canadian Musician & other magazines & industry publications), Doug Simmons on keyboards, later replaced in 1968 by Tony Gilchrist, Ray Chaput on bass, Jorma Larton on rhythm guitar & Fred Cacciotti on Lead Guitar & Lead Vocals.
(Picture/Courtesy Dave Coleman Photography)
Fred is still a member of SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors & Music Publishers of Canada) a member since 1969. It is worthy to note that Fred met the woman he married in the early years of his professional music career. He remains happily married to her, his first love, celebrating 51 years of marriage in 2021, with a beautiful daughter, terrific son-in-law, and two amazing grandchildren!
Awards, Honours & Newspaper Commentary, Fred Has Received Over His Musical Career!
In 1968, rock music critic Ritchie York, of the Toronto Telegram newspaper said this about Fred; “Fred Cacciotti, guitarist for the rock band Taxi, is one of the greatest undiscovered rock lead guitarists of our time!”
In 2002 Fred received the Papal Medallion for his musical contributions to World Youth Days in Toronto, at Downsview Park. There were between 800,000 to 1,000,000 people from across the world who attended: a truly unforgettable event!
As Pope John Paul the 2nd was leaving Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Fred was asked to be on the tarmac, providing the instrumental support for the St Michael Cathedral Boy's Choir & other vocalists & musicians who had performed for the Pope during the event!
In 2005 he was awarded the “Unity Award” from the UCMVA (United Catholic Music & Video Association) in the USA for “International Artist of the Year” for his CD ‘Heavenly Eyes, Heavenly, Hands.” In Catholic Music this is the equivalent of receiving a 'Grammy' in the same category!
In 2006 Fred was honoured to receive the Covenant Award from the GMA (Gospel Music Association of Canada) for ‘Instrumental Song of the Year’ called ‘Dancing in the Light’ from his CD ‘River of Mercy’.” In Canada this is the equivalent to receiving a 'Juno Award' which is equivalent to receiving a "Grammy Award' in the USA. Another instrumental ‘Spirit of Fire’ from the same CD was nominated as well!
Through this entire time Fred, continued his music ministry in the Catholic Church, up to and including 2016.
When Least Expected; Things Beyond One's Control can & do happen!
In early 2017, Fred started having serious health issues, causing him to retire from his 32-year music ministry, 11 years at Holy Cross & 21 years at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic parishes.
During this life-changing time, he still continued playing the guitar to improve his performance in each genre!
This website is the culmination of that body of work. Of course, Fred never stops learning new things as a student of the guitar, which will continue as a lifetime endeavor!