Freddie Portelli was born on May 5, 1944, in St. Paul's Bay, Malta. He received his early education at St. Paul’s Bay Primary School and later attended the Technical Institute, where he earned the City & Guilds of the London Institute Standard. Throughout his career, Freddie primarily worked as a draughtsman.

Portelli's musical career began over 40 years ago as a member and chief songwriter of the group, The Malta Bums. The group toured America, Canada, and Germany for five months, and upon returning to Malta in 1966, Freddie wrote the iconic song "Viva Malta" followed by "Mur Hallini". His recordings have been released internationally, including in Australia, Canada, America, and England. Freddie also led the legendary band "Black Train", which produced several hit records.

Apart from his musical accomplishments, Freddie was an accomplished water polo player. He played for his hometown’s Sirens water polo team as well as Neptunes and Valletta, winning the premier championship with Neptunes in 1964. He also played with Malta's national team, securing the International Independence Tournament cup the same year.

Freddie's musical journey began with encouragement from his father to learn the guitar. His first lessons were with Carmelo Muscat, a close family friend. By the age of 13, Freddie was playing in various bands. In the early sixties, he formed The Malta Bums, sharing his musical expertise with the group members. The band underwent several lineup changes, eventually solidifying its members and gaining significant popularity.

Initially reluctant to participate in song contests, Freddie and The Bums decided to enter one, reaching the finals despite being the least equipped band. This experience was a turning point in Freddie’s career.

In 1973, Freddie founded The Black Train after leaving The Malta Bums. The band quickly became Malta's top local band, performing regularly at prominent venues and receiving international invitations. However, the demanding schedule led Freddie to temporarily put his career on hold.

In 2001, Freddie made a successful solo comeback, spurred by encouragement from Martin Schembri and KTA Records. His return led to the release of the double album "Ghall Dejjem", which included a new recording of "Viva Malta" and broke national sales records.

Freddie participated in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest three times in the mid-90s and continued to release numerous singles and albums, writing approximately 400 songs over his career. He performed internationally, including notable concerts and television appearances.

Freddie married Carmen Darmanin on December 5, 1972, and they have two daughters, Claudette and Yvette. Claudette is a specialist in clinical psychology, while Yvette pursued a career in television and radio before relocating to Italy.

Freddie was honored with the Medal for Service to the Republic in 2016 by the President of Malta and received several other accolades, including the golden medal and the Ġieħ San Pawl il-Baħar for his contributions to Maltese music and culture.

Reflecting on his life, Freddie expressed contentment with his achievements, from musical success to his career as a draughtsman and water polo player. His legacy continues to inspire many in Malta and beyond.