Bob Dorough, Schoolhouse Rock performer and writer, RIP

Discussion in 'Visual Arts' started by BradOlson, Apr 23, 2018.

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  1. BradOlson

    BradOlson Country/Christian Music Maven Thread Starter

  2. Chris DeVoe

    Chris DeVoe RIP Vickie Mapes Williams (aka Equipoise)

    Sad, but 94 is a good run.
     
  3. Morton LaBongo

    Morton LaBongo Forum Resident

    Location:
    Manchester NH
    Loved so many of these, and watch them even today 40-something years later. A really fun part of my childhood. Rest in Peace.
     
  4. longdist01

    longdist01 Senior Member

    Location:
    Chicago, IL USA
    Great writing and music for that series of films. RIP Bob Dorough!
     
  5. john hp

    john hp Forum Resident

    Location:
    Warwickshire, UK


    R.I.P.
     
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  6. Scooterpiety

    Scooterpiety Ars Gratia Artis

    Location:
    Oregon
    94?!
    Well, I guess it has been around 47 years since Schoolhouse Rock debuted. It sure doesn't seem like it, though. RIP.
     
  7. bloodisthin

    bloodisthin And after all, we're only ordinary men

    Location:
    Australia
    Bob Dorough, 'Schoolhouse Rock!' Performer and Writer, Dies at 94

    I knew him best for Schoolhouse Rock (which didn't get much traction here in Australia; an expat US friend turned me onto it) as well as his vocal turns on Miles Davis' Sorcerer and John Zorn/Naked City's Grand Guignol - the latter album is my username comes from, incidentally.
     
  8. SteveCam

    SteveCam Forum Resident

    Sad. Thanks for posting. I believe he also did the vocals on Miles Davis's bizarre but awesome Christmas song Blue Christmas.
     
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  9. Zoot Marimba

    Zoot Marimba And I’m The Critic Of The Group

    Location:
    Savannah, Georgia
    Man I lovedSchoolhouse Rock growing up
     
    Grant likes this.
  10. pghmusiclover

    pghmusiclover Senior Member

  11. DTK

    DTK Forum Resident

    Location:
    Europe
    I know him for the oddball but clever Miles collaboration.
     
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  12. Sneaky Pete

    Sneaky Pete Flat the 5 and That’s No Jive

    Location:
    NYC USA
    School House Rock was brilliant and left a huge cultural fingerprint on a generation. Sad news.
     
  13. MikeInFla

    MikeInFla Glad to be out of Florida

    Location:
    Kalamazoo, MI
  14. melstapler

    melstapler Reissue Activist

    Very sad news. Bob gave teachers everywhere a chance to have a snack and perhaps a restroom break while the students were engaged and learning from the music he provided. RIP Bob
     
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  15. MikeInFla

    MikeInFla Glad to be out of Florida

    Location:
    Kalamazoo, MI
    My wife is a teacher and even to this day School House Rock is loved by the kids. She took our DVD to class one day and played some of the tracks for Lang. Arts and they loved it. RIP Bob.
     
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  16. intv7

    intv7 Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston, MA, USA
    Sad. Had the pleasure of seeing him do Schoolhouse Rock live 20 years ago, and it was amazing. He was a great talent.
     
  17. Silver Surfer

    Silver Surfer Love Is Understanding

    An amazing man. His work on one small project had immeasurable influence on a generation of children. He made his mark for sure. R.I.P., Mr. Dorough. Thank you for the music.
     
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  18. BradOlson

    BradOlson Country/Christian Music Maven Thread Starter

    He also worked with Miles Davis and recorded his own jazz music on Bethlehem Records.
     
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  19. swandown

    swandown Under Assistant West Coast Forum Resident

    Location:
    Portland, OR
    I hope he got some money from this:
     
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  20. jimac51

    jimac51 A mythical beast.

    Location:
    Allentown,pa.
    Tough losing such an underrated and underappreciated talent. A treasured memory was just a few years ago when he did a gig at WXPN's World Cafe-hmm,five years ago-seems like one. Brought my Granddaughter,who had already met and worked with him at a school event. Bob did lots of school events. The line from The Christmas Song:"to kids from 1 to 92"(even 94),certainly was Bob. Before the showshow,he was like a preacher setting up for service. He chatted at every table and signed numerous goodies for us,including a Scholastic 44th Street Flower Power Factory EP(produced and featuring Steve Swallow!)which was not only another way he communicated to kids,but was introducing them to psychedelic music. I think he would have endorsed a check if shoved in front of him. Bob dabbled in just about every facet of pop & jazz,always with a sly,dry and sometimes dark,sense of humor. He wasn't going to explain the jokes,which is why he was so good for kids. Fans of Spanky & Our Gang were exposed to Bob's work,even if they didn't know it. And that was part of the charm of Schoolhouse Rock,as much of the audience would not know how important he was to their learning.
    The Celebration of the Arts group from Delaware Water Gap have lost another pillar of their community,as Bob was around all the time. What is great about the COTA folks,organized in part by Phil Woods,is that the idea of COTA was to seed future generations in creating music,so the group will continue to flourish.
    A tip of my favorite baseball cap to Bob;"You were good,rookie!".
     
  21. GLENN

    GLENN Forum Resident

    Location:
    Kingsport,TN, USA
    I was delighted when he turned up on a Nellie McKay album a while back. What an original voice and talent.
     
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  22. Thomas D

    Thomas D Forum Resident

    Location:
    Bradenton, FL
    I first heard him on Theme Time Radio Hour. Dylan played him several times on that series. Incredible lyricist. My most memorable was on the "Dogs" themed show with the song "Dog":
     
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  23. PaulKTF

    PaulKTF Senior Member

    Location:
    USA
    He did some really great songs that were also educational.
     
    BradOlson likes this.
  24. Pythonman

    Pythonman Forum Resident

    Location:
    Florida
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