Fred Barnes (performer)

Fred Barnes
1920 sheet music
Background information
Birth name	Frederick Jester Barnes
Born	(1885-05-31)31 May 1885 Saltley, Birmingham, England
Died	23 October 1938(1938-10-23) (aged 53) Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England
Genres	Music hall
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1906–1938

Frederick Jester Barnes (31 May 1885 – 23 October 1938) was an English music hall singer known for his signature song, "The Black Sheep of the Family", which he first performed in 1907. Although popular on stage, Barnes became infamous for his erratic private life and was often named in frequent controversies reported by the press. Openly gay, Barnes retired to Southend-on-Sea and performed in seaside pubs, notably The Cricketers Hotel, Westcliff-on-Sea. Suffering from terminal tuberculosis and alcoholism, Barnes died from coal gas poisoning at the age of 53.