Dave Frishberg was a pianist and songwriter who composed “I’m Just a Bill” and other songs for “Schoolhouse Rock.”
- Died: November 17, 2021 (Who else died on November 17?)
- Details of death: Died in Portland, Oregon at the age of 88.
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Musical career
Frishberg got his start in the music world as a jazz pianist, playing solo as well as performing with jazz greats including Gene Krupa (1909–1973) and Anita O’Day (1919–2006). He became better known as a songwriter who sometimes also performed his songs, including “My Attorney Bernie,” “I’m Hip,” and “Van Lingle Mungo.” Some of Frishberg’s songs were hits for other artists, including Blossom Dearie’s (1924–2009) rendition of “Peel Me a Grape.” But his best-known song remains “I’m Just a Bill,” sung by Jack Sheldon (1931–2019) in 1976 for the “Schoolhouse Rock” series of educational musical cartoons. Also for “Schoolhouse Rock,” Frishberg wrote “Walkin’ on Wall Street” and “$7.50 Once a Week.”
Frishberg on “Schoolhouse Rock”
“It was fun, and we turned out a first-class product.” —from a 2014 interview for Noblemania
Tributes to Dave Frishberg
Full obituary: The New York Times
