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De Freitas was a strikingly handsome young man, with the face of a model. Born in Trinidad and educated at a Benedictine school, he passed through a relatively untroubled youth, having several musically talented sisters and a brother, and became a drummer in his late teens. The other 3 original members of the group had recorded some demos of their songs using a drum machine, and had some success getting a contract. In 1979 they went looking for a drummer, de Freitas came to their attention, and was immediately hired. They recorded their first album entitled Crocodiles and released it in 1980.

Over the course of the next few years, the group with de Freitas in the drummer’s chair recorded the 5 most well-known Echo and the Bunnymen albums, today regarded as classics of the post-punk era. His drumming with the group was always praised for its power, simplicity and taste, even while the entire albums often received mixed reviews.

His only substantial break from the band followed an incident in the US in 1985. He reportedly joined the band’s road crew in New Orleans and decided to go on a bender with alcohol and drugs. He left the band after an unfriendly argument and stayed in the states for a few months. In the meantime the group had started recording a new album without him, but were unhappy with the results using a different drummer. Upon his return to the UK he expressed a desire to come back to the band, and at that point they were happy to have him, while noting his fragile mental state.

Unfortunately, big changes were in store after their 5th record was released and supported. Ian McCulloch left in 1988, and the group effectively quit as a unit. Pete de Freitas was riding his high-powered motorcycle on a stretch of English road when he collided with a vehicle and died on the scene. It is not known if drugs and/or alcohol played a part in his death, but his mental health had not been good for some time, so it may have been a contributing factor.

At the time of his death at 27 he had a daughter, and she survives, living in the UK. His remains are reportedly interred in a site in Goring-on-Thames cemetery. Echo and the Bunnymen reunited in the 90s and have continued recording and touring using the group name, even though only 2 original members remain.

Peter Louis Vincent de Freitas (2 August 1961 – 14 June 1989) was a musician and producer. He was the drummer in Echo & the Bunnymen, and performed on their first five albums.

De Freitas was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and educated by the Benedictines at Downside School in Somerset, south-west England. His father, Denis, was a copyright lawyer. He joined the Bunnymen in 1979, replacing a drum machine.

In 1985, de Freitas temporarily absconded from the band. He spent several months drinking in New Orleans, while attempting to form a new group, The Sex Gods. By 1987 he returned to the Bunnymen to record their fifth album, though only as a part-time member.

He died in a motorcycle accident in 1989 at the age of 27, on his way to Liverpool from London. He was riding a 900cc Ducati motorcycle on the A51 road in Longdon Green, Staffordshire and was in collision with a motor vehicle at approximately 16:00. His ashes are buried in Goring-on-Thames.

His sisters Rose and Rachel were founding members of the band The Heart Throbs. His brother Frank is the bass player of The Woodentops.

See also

• 27 Club
• The Colourfield
• The Wild Swans (band)

References

1. Maureen Duffy. "Obituary: Denis de Freitas". The Guardian.
2. "Paul Du Noyer interviews Echo & The Bunnymen". Pauldunoyer.com.
3. The Day the Music Died – Les MacDonald – Google Books. Books.google.co.uk.

External links

• Pete de Freitas at Find a Grave

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