Fred Knittle, popular member of Young@Heart, dies at age 83
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NORTHAMPTON - City resident Fred Knittle, whose plaintive, baritone rendition of Coldplay's "Fix You" created a sensation on YouTube, died Thursday at the age of 83.
Knittle a well-loved, core member of the Young@Heart chorus, was known for his deep voice, humorous style, and easy way with audiences.
He was among the chorus members featured in the Fox Searchlight film "Young@Heart," which was released to rave reviews last spring.
Knittle's performance of "Fix You," is made all the more poignant because it becomes a solo after his duet partner Bob Salvini dies before the show, and he performs it center stage at the Academy of Music with his own oxygen tank providing a kind of percussive accompaniment.
Knittle worked for years at the Clarke School for the Deaf.
Comments
Young at Heart performance
Uplifting and moving...made me proud to be a human and look forward to doing good things in later life.