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 Fredu
Spiteri "l-Everest" also known as "tal-Pitrolju"
or "l-Għawdxi", was one of the best known
għannejja - makkjettist of his time both
in Malta and Gozo where he was born. He will always
be remembered both for his fine voice and for his
quality of singing which most of the time was laced
with humour. He was also known for his story telling
which he used to recite and sometimes invent on the
spot. One would be assured of a laugh when Fedu was
present.
Fredu was born on the ?? of ?? 1929 in Gozo, the son
of Manwel and Marija. As a young boy he disliked
school and most of the time his mind was somewhere
else, but one of the subjects he did well was poetry
which he used to be able to memories without to much
difficulty. He left school unable to read and write
and soon started work selling paraffin (pitrolju)
in the streets of Gozo.
Fredu was very good at inventing stories and like
many għannejja of his time, could not read
and write. Even so, he is credited with a few short
stories which he recited and had them written for
him by others. As well as these short stories he is
also credited with some sketches, one of which was "il-Mara
l-Ħalliela".
Then came the time when the late Effie Ciantar
invited him on his għana radio programme for
Rediffusion which made him an immediate favourite
among listeners from Malta and Gozo alike. Following
his success on Rediffusion, Fredu started visiting
Malta regularly and taking part in competitions in
l-Buskett. On these nights he would spend hours
singing and telling stories surrounded by a large
crowd of people laughing and having fun.
Fredu and his wife Stella where known for their
devotion to each other.
After many years selling paraffin in the streets of
Gozo he sought and got a job as a government
employee as a book carrier.
On the morning of Friday the 12th of November 1965,
Fredu left for his work on his motorcycle. On this
day he was late and driving very fast. At five
minutes to seven, Fredu was involved in a collision
with a car and was was rushed to hospital for
emergency treatment but his condition deteriorated
and a day after, on the 13th of November, it was
announced on Rediffusion that Fredu Spiteri had died.
For many years, Mikiel Abela "il-Bambinu" was
one of Fredu Spiteri's closest friends and it was
fitting that "il-Bambinu" wrote a beautiful
poem about him called "Id-Diżgrazzja ta' Fredu
l-Għawdxi". These are the last few verses from
this poem.
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