Fred Stobaugh (August 22, 1917 – November 23, 2016) was an American retired driver and songwriter. He became well known after he submitted a song, "Oh Sweet Lorraine", to a music competition. The song was about his wife of 72 years. It became a viral video in September 2013. The song was soon entered in the Billboard Hot 100.
Personal life
Stobaugh was born on August 22, 1917 in Peoria, Illinois.[1] He met his wife Lorraine Dinquel in 1938. They were married in 1940. They had three children. Dinquel died in April 2013.[2]
Stobaugh died on November 23, 2016 in Peoria, aged 99.[3]
Oh Sweet Lorraine
A few months after his wife's death, Stobaugh wrote the song "Oh Sweet Lorraine". He entered a singer-songwriter competition hosted by Green Shoe Studio. The video of their recording sessions attracted more than six million hits on YouTube and Vimeo.[4][5][6] In September 2013, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 42. He is the oldest artist to have appeared on the Hot 100.[7]
