Born Frederick Anthony Picariello, Jr. in 1940 in the town of Revere, Massachusetts, he grew up in nearby Lynn, close to Boston's North Shore. His Dad was a trumpet player in a small dance band that played in and around the Boston area. Freddy's first band was called Freddy Karmon and the Hurricanes, and they played hops and dances in the New England area.

Many of the engagements were done for free, just so their name could be used for promotional purposes. It was a barter system of sorts. They played at no charge, and their name was advertised on the radio stations like WMEX and WLYN, and promotional flyers for all the events. He also became a regular on Television station WHDH with DJ Bob Clayton's "Boston Ballroom", the local TV dance show. Freddy Cannon recorded his first song under the name the Spindrifts. "Cha Cha Doo" was a local hit and was first released on the Hot label, later to be issued on ABC Paramount. His first record for the Swan label was called "Tallahassee Lassie". The song was written by, or at least started by Cannon's Mom. What it started out as and how it ended up seem to be two different songs, and Freddy reportedly didn't care for the final version. The public disagreed! It went on to become a huge nationwide smash in the US, and was also wildly popular Internationally. He earned the name "Boom Boom" based on the driving drum beat in his first and subsequent recordings. I have read one account that Kenny Paulson did lead on guitar on Tallahassee Lassie, and it was very distinct. What ever happened to him? During many of his live shows, another local New England group named the Rocking Ramrods backed him up. His third release was an old standard that was reworked into the standard high energy rock and roll style of Freddy Cannon. "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans" sold more than Tallahassee Lassie. His next huge hit was called "Palisades Park". The flip, "June July and August" was intended to be the "A" side, but the DJ's flipped it and Freddy Cannon had a 2:10 minute smash hit. Palisades Park was written by Chuck Barris, host of the 1970's "The Gong Show". He left Swan records for Warner Brothers, where he felt he could get a good deal, artistic freedom, and because Swan was faltering. His first release for the new label resulted in the hit "Abigail Beecher". Several issues later, his biggest hit for the label, "Action", was also the theme song used for the Dick Clark show of the same name.