Freddy Moore was a musician, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame in the 1980s with his band The Nu-Kats and his song “It’s Not a Rumour”, which he co-wrote with his ex-wife Demi Moore. He died on August 25, 2022, at the age of 72, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Freddy Moore, his relationship with Demi Moore, and the cause and impact of his death.
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Early Life and Career
Freddy Moore was born as Frederick George Moore on July 19, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in the Twin Cities area and developed a passion for music at an early age. He taught himself to play guitar and wrote his own songs, inspired by The Beatles and Frank Zappa. He graduated from Richfield High School in 1968 and enrolled at the University of Minnesota to study music theory and composition.
He started performing as Skogie in the early 1970s, and formed several bands, such as The Royal Cumquats, An English Sky, and Skogie and the Flaming Pachucos. He released a single and an album with Skogie, and gained some local popularity. He also married his first wife Lucy Colvin in 1974, but they divorced in 1979.
Move to Los Angeles and Marriage to Demi Moore
In 1979, Freddy Moore moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical career. He formed a new band called The Nu-Kats, which played a blend of rock and power pop. He also met Demi Moore at the Troubadour nightclub when she was 16 and he was 29. Demi was an aspiring actress who had dropped out of high school and moved to Hollywood. She was instantly attracted to Freddy and left her boyfriend Tom Dunston for him. Freddy also divorced Lucy and married Demi on February 8, 1981.
The Nu-Kats recorded their only album in 1980, titled Plastic Facts. The album featured the song “It’s Not a Rumour”, which Freddy co-wrote with Demi. The song was about their relationship and how they defied the odds despite their age difference and criticism from others. The song did not chart, but the video received some airplay on MTV. The Nu-Kats also performed at famous clubs like Whisky a Go Go, The Troubadour, and Starwood, and opened for bands like The Police, The Knack, and The Motels.
However, Freddy’s marriage to Demi was not as successful as his music. Demi’s acting career took off when she landed a role on General Hospital in 1982. She also became involved with drugs and alcohol, and had affairs with other men. Freddy felt neglected and insecure by her fame and lifestyle. He later said that he had to choose between his marriage and his career, and he chose his marriage – what a mistake. They divorced in 1985.
Later Years and Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
After his divorce from Demi, Freddy Moore continued to make music with different bands, such as Boy (1985-1987), The Kat Club (1990-1993), and The Nu-Kats Revisited (2001-2002). He also appeared in some movies, such as Parasite (1982) and Scarred (1983). He wrote lyrics for about 1,000 songs over his career.
He married his third wife Renee Schyjer in 2005. They had met in 1998 at a party hosted by David Arquette, who was married to Demi’s friend Courteney Cox. Renee was a fan of Freddy’s music and supported him throughout their marriage.
In 2010, Freddy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 60. He began to lose his memory, speech, and motor skills. Renee tried everything she could to help him cope with the disease, including medication, therapy, diet, exercise, music, art, and alternative treatments. She also documented his journey on social media and raised awareness about Alzheimer’s.
In 2021, Freddy published his memoir titled It’s Not a Rumour: A Rock and Roll Journey Through Life and Alzheimer’s. He co-wrote the book with Shannon Guyton, who had interviewed him before his condition worsened. The book chronicled his life story from his childhood to his musical career to his struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Death and Legacy
Freddy Moore’s health deteriorated in the last months of his life. He stopped being able to walk or eat on his own. He was moved to a hospice care facility in Los Angeles, where he died on August 25, 2022. He was surrounded by his wife Renee, his family, and his friends. He was 72 years old.
His death was announced by Renee on social media, who said that he was now jamming in heaven with his favorite musicians. She also thanked everyone who had supported him and loved him over the years. She said that he was the most amazing person she had ever known, and that she would miss him forever.
Freddy Moore’s death was mourned by many fans and celebrities, who paid tribute to his music and his spirit. His ex-wife Demi Moore also expressed her condolences and said that she was grateful for the time they had shared. She said that he was a talented and kind man, who had taught her a lot about life and love.
Freddy Moore’s legacy lives on through his music, his memoir, and his influence on other artists. He was a pioneer of the power pop genre, and a songwriter who could capture emotions and stories in his lyrics. He was also a fighter who never gave up on his dreams or his passion. He was an inspiration to many people who faced challenges and hardships in their lives. He was Freddy Moore, and he was not a rumour.
