Indianapolis musician Rick Freeman dies at 58

Rick Freeman, vocalist and guitarist in the Spirtles from the late 1970s into the 1990s, died on Saturday at age 58.

Billed as the "original jam band" in Indianapolis, the Spirtles issued an EP titled "One Step at a Time" in 1993.

Building from a steady diet of Grateful Dead covers, the Spirtles performed songs written by Freeman and toured a Midwest circuit of high-profile nightclubs (including the Vogue in Indianapolis, the Bluebird in Bloomington, Bogart's in Cincinnati and Mississippi Nights in St. Louis) in the late 1980s.

Freeman was known for wearing rose-colored glasses, a characteristic that correlated with the singer's optimistic outlook, Spirtles drummer Joe O'Connell said.

"Rick brought so much to this world and he touched so many lives with his smile and music," O'Connell said of Freeman, who frequently drew a self-caricature to accompany his signature. "He will be sorely missed."

O'Connell said Freeman died after a short illness.

The Spirtles played sporadic reunion shows in recent years, including a January 2013 show at the Irving Theater, the 2013 edition of Fountain Square's Tonic Ball (which celebrated the music of the Grateful Dead) and a 2014 Grateful Dead tribute at the Vogue.

Freeman also hosted a weekly acoustic open stage at bygone Irvington business Lazy Daze Coffee House.

Freeman's catalog of original compositions included the songs "Only Life," "Backseat Driver," "Pushed Around" and "Don't Let Go."

"He was a prolific songwriter who wrote dozens and dozens of songs," O'Connell said. "Music was his life and he played all the time. Most of the band was able to get together and play a little bit a couple of weeks ago."

A celebration of life gathering is scheduled 2 to 4 p.m. May 2 at Lauck & Veldhof Funeral Home, 1458 S. Meridian St.

A musical tribute is scheduled 3 to 9 p.m. May 3 at the Irving, 5505 E. Washington St.

Freeman is survived by 24-year-old son Eli and 22-year-old son Zeke.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.