Tom Van Laere (born 1975), better known by his stage name Admiral Freebee, is a Belgian singer-songwriter. He took his stage name from the Jack Kerouac novel On the Road. Admiral Freebee is also the name of a ship that sank in San Francisco Bay and was subsequently used as a buoy.
Van Laere was born in Brasschaat, near Antwerp. He participated in Humo's Rock Rally, one of the biggest rock competitions in the Low Countries. Backed by a bass guitarist and a drummer he was awarded the silver medal and won the audience's vote. His first album, Admiral Freebee, appeared soon after the competition on Universal, as did his second, Songs.
His third album, Wild Dreams of New Beginnings, has been released to positive critical acclaim in November 2006 and reached the top 40 on the Belgium charts.
Recently one of Belgium's most influential rock formations, dEUS, asked Admiral Freebee to be the supporting act on their European tour. In June 2009 Admiral Freebee was the support act for Neil Young on several European tour dates.
Admiral Freebee is the debut album of the Belgian rock band Admiral Freebee, released in 2003.
(All songs written by Tom Van Laere)
Songs is the second album by the Belgian rock band Admiral Freebee, released in 2005.
(All songs written by Tom Van Laere)