NEW ORLEANS John Fred Gourrier, best known for his 1960s hit -- "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" -- died today at Tulane Hospital. He was 63 years old.

His former manager, Lynn Ourso of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, says Gourrier who went by the stage name John Fred, had been ill for months.

Ourso says he had a kidney transplant seven months ago and that his condition worsened after another operation.

John Fred and His Playboy Band had a regional following in the South when they recorded their parody of the popular Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," in 1967.

Written by Gourrier and fellow band member Andrew Bernard, "Judy In Disguise" was recorded in New Orleans with the Fats Domino band on December 17th. By January 20th, 1968 it had replaced another Beatles song, "Hello Goodbye," as the Number One song in the nation.

This is the first time I've heard about JOHN FRED & HIS PLAYBOY BAND and their #1 hit song "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)". A one-hit wonder for sure. Just read up about them on Epinions.com - the band was apparently pretty talented, and very popular in Louisiana.

Thanks for posting about John Fred. He was from Baton Rouge and well liked by most here. He was 6'5" and played college basketball and loved the LSU Tiger baseball games. Judy In Disguise has one of the most distinctive and recognizable intro beats in all of vintage rock and roll. I love to play it and show off the rig.

Charlie