May God bless you and your...
Sad what has happened to this country. All music listened to be me is from this era.
Jeffrey Schnitzer
August 26, 2024 | Scottsdale, AZ | Neighbor
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Obituary
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Bob Flanigan, an original member of the four-part jazz vocal harmony group The Four Freshmen, has died in Las Vegas at age 84, a manager of the group said Monday.
Flanigan died Sunday at home of congestive heart failure, with family members nearby and several local trombonists playing songs, IVI Management agent Dina Roth said.
"Flanigan's voice was indestructible," said Ross Barbour, the last remaining original member of the four-man group. "He could drive all day and all night without stopping between gigs, and when our voices were on the edge Bob was still in full form."
Barbour, 82, now lives in Simi Valley, Calif.
Flanigan and his cousins Ross Barbour and Don Barbour formed the group in 1948 with Hal Kratzsch while attending Butler University in Indiana. Flanigan played trombone and bass and sang lead parts.
Don Barbour died in a car crash in 1961. Kratzsch died in 1970.
The group produced more than 50 albums and 70 singles, and had six Grammy nominations over the years, Roth said.
Best-known recordings were "It's a Blue World" in 1952, "Mood Indigo" in 1954, "Day by Day" in 1955 and "Graduation Day" in 1956. The group was credited with being an early influence on Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson.
Flanigan retired in 1992, but Roth said he kept a hand in the changing cast of performers and management of The Four Freshmen name. The group's current cast - Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, Vince Johnson and Bob Ferreira - are due to perform Wednesday in Boston.
Flanigan is survived by his wife, Mary Flanigan, six children and 15 grandchildren. Memorial service plans were pending.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
Guest Book
Great, great group. Had them appear at my univ. (Duke) and took them out to dinner after the concert. Ross and Don Barber were also key components. All great guys and down to earth. All are gone now, but not their music. God bless.
Jim Faris
March 12, 2020 | Hilton Head Island, SC
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Bob Flanigan sang the theme of my adolescence and beyond. "It's a blue world without you," Bob.
Don Shafer
January 22, 2020 | Salt Lake City, UT
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Valenda Newell
December 30, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
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Bob Flanigan and the Four Freshmen were my heros when I was a kid and they still are to this day. When the Freshmen appeared at Ormond Beach, Florida, I talked with Bob after the show. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life! After singing and playing guitar with different groups in Nashville, Miami and Daytona Beach, I have the greatest appreciation and respect for the wonderful harmony and musical creations that Bob and the Freshmen have given us through the years. Although I have...
April 18, 2016
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That little high flourish he added to the harmonies is a part of the American musical landscape that will never be forgotten.
O Joyner
February 23, 2014 | New Orleans, LA
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We were lucky enough to have shared three years of our lives with Bob and Mary when we lived in Las Vegas. Our fondest memory is having Bob and Mary visting us in our home in Toledo on his 80th Birthday RIP dear friend!
Barb and Mel Meyers
Mel Meyers
April 15, 2013 | Toledo, OH
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"Skylark", by the Freshmen, has raised the hair on my neck for many decades. Their harmony is timeless and the similarity to the Stan Kenton sound made it all the better. I'm thankful to them for the pleasure they brought us all.
Ron Jennings
November 25, 2011 | Evansville, IN
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"It's a Blue World" came on my radio while driving to school in 1951---I almost wrecked my car. The brilliance of Bob Flanigan and the Four Freshmen has stayed with me non stop for all these 60 years from their early concerts at the French Lick jazz festivals and their numerous visits to my alma mater Evansville College when Don Barbour was alive, to the week long engagement in Hot Springs Arkansas with Bill Comstock in the group,and on through the years.The jazz world has lost a giant,and...
Ron Miller
November 24, 2011 | Evansville, IN
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