Gil Robbins Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gil Robbins, a folk singer, guitarist and member of the early 1960s group the Highwaymen, has died. He was 80.

Robbins died Tuesday at his home in Esteban Cantu, Mexico, Tracey Jacobs said Saturday night in an email to The Associated Press. Jacobs is a publicist for Robbins' son, the actor and director Tim Robbins.

Shortly before Gil Robbins joined the Highwaymen, the group had a major hit with "Michael," its version of "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore." When Robbins joined in 1962, he took the group in a more political direction, playing and singing baritone on five albums until their 1964 breakup. (A country music supergroup with Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash later shared the same name.)

Tim Robbins, star of "The Shawshank Redemption and director of "Dead Man Walking," said in a statement to the AP that Gil Robbins was "a fantastic father," "a great musician" and "a man of unshakeable integrity."

"His commitment to so cial justice was evident to us from an early age, as was his infectious mischievous sense of humor," Tim Robbins said. "His passing has created great sadness for all of us and our mother but we take comfort in knowing that the angels will soon be soothed by the songs coming from his beautiful baritone voice."

Father and son worked together on the 1992 film "Bob Roberts." Tim Robbins directed and played the title role of a right-wing, folk-singing U.S. Senate candidate from Pennsylvania. The actor's brother David Robbins wrote and recorded the film's ultra-conservative folk songs, and Gil Robbins was listed in the credits as a vocal coach and choral consultant.

Robbins was born in Spokane, Wash., and raised in Southern California, where he studied music at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Before joining the Highwaymen, he was already a well-known musician in the folk scene that surrounded New York's Greenwich Village as a member of the Cumberland Th ree and the Belafonte Singers, and as a friend to famous folkies like John Stewart and Dave Van Ronk, according to The New York Times, which first reported his death.

After the Highwaymen, Robbins managed the Gaslight Club on Greenwich Village's famously musical MacDougal Street.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press

Not sure what to say?

Get email updates for this page

Posting Guidelines|FAQ

I worked at the Gaslight Cafe as a waitress in the Village in 1968-1971 when Gil Robbins was a manager there, and the club was run by Sam Hood. I would save all the burned out light bulbs when I'd change them out for the cafe. Gil and I used to have the most fun throwing those burned out bulbs against the back of the tiny stage in the basement which was the Gaslight, laughing all the way... and then I'd go get the dust pan and the broom and clean it all up and get ready for another day. He...

Catherine Todd

February 19, 2022 | Oxford, NC | Coworker

Gil's leadership of The Occasional Singers was inspiring, and comes to mind frequently in many years of my music making since then. Gil was ingenious in preparing compositions, often never heard before, with a clear vision of what experience each specific piece of music could offer. Rest in peace, Gil.

James Langdell

April 24, 2011 | San Mateo, CA

While others recall Gil's successful career, I will always remember him as drum major of the UCLA marching band c. 1950 and Mary as a flute player in the band. Gil was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha, the music fraternity at UCLA. What a glorious life Mary and Gil had together.

Ralph Shaffer

April 18, 2011 | Covina, CA

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

April 18, 2011

To the family of the late Mr.Gil Robbins may your memories bring you comfort during this time of beravement.The family that prays together will stay together and love one another .Sweeping due for a night but joy comes in the morning.Mr.Gil will live on thru his music.Sleep own Mr.Gil Robbins.

Corletta Hardy

April 17, 2011 | Garden, GA

i'[m old enuf to remember the highway men and your dad will be missed.

April 17, 2011

We want to send our Sympathy to your family. We lost our dad this last year too, another member of the Highwaymen, and as hard as this has been, we take solice in that they will always live on in their music. David spoke foundly of Gil and shared many fun stories about the life and times with him in the Highwaymen. Their music will live on for generations!
Charlotte and Casey Fisher

April 17, 2011

Tim, My condolences to you and the rest of the Robbins folks. Another star will shine over the high country of Idaho. Blessed be. Marlene Anscomb Perry Grangeville Idaho

Marlene Perry

April 16, 2011 | Grangeville, ID

My condolences to the entire Robbins family. I lost my father at the end of last year at the age of 87 so I know what you are going through. I just watched Shawshank Redemption for the umpteenth time the other day and always enjoy Tim's performance. May God bless you all during this time.

Carol Ringwald

April 15, 2011 | Waco, TX

Gil Robbins

Obituary

Guest Book