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2021-11-18 21:58:03 UTC
From The Hill:
Songwriter Dave Frishberg, of 'I'm Just a Bill' fame, dies at 88
BY RACHEL SCULLY - 11/18/21 08:06 AM EST 109
Singer and songwriter David Frishberg, who wrote the well-known
"Schoolhouse Rock!" song "I'm Just a Bill," died Wednesday [Nov 17
2021] in Portland, Ore., at 88.
His wife, April Magnusson, confirmed his death, according to The New
York Times.
Frishberg, born in St. Paul, Minn., moved to New York in 1957 to work
at a radio station and later became a solo jazz pianist. He worked with
several notable artists, including Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day and Judy
Garland, the Times reported.
Frishberg began writing songs in the early 1960s and published his
first tune, "Peel Me a Grape," in 1962. While it did not reach broad
audiences, the Times noted that it launched Frishberg's career as a
songwriter.
Frishberg continued to write music and wrote the song "I'm Hip," in
1967, next to fellow jazz songwriter Bob Dorough. He even started
singing his compositions, which led him to release his own album,
“Oklahoma Toad,” in 1970.
The songwriter moved to Los Angeles in 1975 and began to write material
for the NBC show “The Funny Side,” starring Gene Kelly. While the show
lasted only nine episodes, Frishberg also began to perform his songs
regularly in jazz clubs, according to the Times.
Frishberg was later invited to contribute to "Schoolhouse Rock!"
Frishberg's first contribution, "I'm Just a Bill," premiered in the
show's third season. The song, sung by jazz trumpeter and vocalist Jack
Sheldon, explains the legislative process. It brought Frishberg
unexpected praise, and he later acknowledged it to be his “most
well-known song," according to the Times.
Democrats plan Thursday vote on massive Biden bill CBO to release full
estimate of Biden spending plan Thursday In 1982, Frishberg received a
Grammy Award nomination for best male jazz vocal performance for “The
Dave Frishberg Songbook, Volume No. 1.” The following year, “The Dave
Frishberg Songbook, Volume No. 2” was also nominated.
Frishberg later moved to Portland in 1986.
He is survived by his wife and two sons, Harry and Max.
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/582096-songwriter-dave-frishberg-of-im-
just-a-bill-fame-dies-at-88
Songwriter Dave Frishberg, of 'I'm Just a Bill' fame, dies at 88
BY RACHEL SCULLY - 11/18/21 08:06 AM EST 109
Singer and songwriter David Frishberg, who wrote the well-known
"Schoolhouse Rock!" song "I'm Just a Bill," died Wednesday [Nov 17
2021] in Portland, Ore., at 88.
His wife, April Magnusson, confirmed his death, according to The New
York Times.
Frishberg, born in St. Paul, Minn., moved to New York in 1957 to work
at a radio station and later became a solo jazz pianist. He worked with
several notable artists, including Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day and Judy
Garland, the Times reported.
Frishberg began writing songs in the early 1960s and published his
first tune, "Peel Me a Grape," in 1962. While it did not reach broad
audiences, the Times noted that it launched Frishberg's career as a
songwriter.
Frishberg continued to write music and wrote the song "I'm Hip," in
1967, next to fellow jazz songwriter Bob Dorough. He even started
singing his compositions, which led him to release his own album,
“Oklahoma Toad,” in 1970.
The songwriter moved to Los Angeles in 1975 and began to write material
for the NBC show “The Funny Side,” starring Gene Kelly. While the show
lasted only nine episodes, Frishberg also began to perform his songs
regularly in jazz clubs, according to the Times.
Frishberg was later invited to contribute to "Schoolhouse Rock!"
Frishberg's first contribution, "I'm Just a Bill," premiered in the
show's third season. The song, sung by jazz trumpeter and vocalist Jack
Sheldon, explains the legislative process. It brought Frishberg
unexpected praise, and he later acknowledged it to be his “most
well-known song," according to the Times.
Democrats plan Thursday vote on massive Biden bill CBO to release full
estimate of Biden spending plan Thursday In 1982, Frishberg received a
Grammy Award nomination for best male jazz vocal performance for “The
Dave Frishberg Songbook, Volume No. 1.” The following year, “The Dave
Frishberg Songbook, Volume No. 2” was also nominated.
Frishberg later moved to Portland in 1986.
He is survived by his wife and two sons, Harry and Max.
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/582096-songwriter-dave-frishberg-of-im-
just-a-bill-fame-dies-at-88