A Visit with Bob Flanigan of The Four Freshmen

[passarorjp]

Many thanks for the compliments, BH21206... Bob was a delightful gentleman and the project was a genuine labor of love... I've been a fan since the mid 50's and was grateful in my retirement to have met the man!

[BH21206]

Thanks and may B F and the other deceased members RIP. Job well done-extremely well done !

[charliedontsurf70]

what year was this interview,bob was always the humor of the group.

[patongbloke]

I saw Bob and the Four Freshmen in concert 1991, Newport Beach, California. Wonderful sound, and a wonderful man. Thanks for great music. R.I.P. Now also Ross has gone, August 20, 2011. R.I.P.

[John55son]

The last of the original quartet passed away today, Aug 24.2011. RIP

[nergvol]

Sorry to hear you go.

[nancydrew5]

This was back in the day when men were gentleman and treated women like ladies and serenaded her with beautiful harmonies. Chilvary was still alive. sigh... now? not so much i love the Four Freshmen they influenced Take six

[downrightman]

When they write the book of the Greatest Sidemen in The Great American Musical Experience, Bob Flanigan will have his own chapter. His voice, trombone playing, bass playing, vocal harmony's, taste, were some of the best in the world. Rest in Peace, Bob, you left your mark in history.

[BH21206]

Great interview ! Thanks to B F- it was a joy ! The F F were real musicians. Saw and heard them here in Baltimore in the late '50's.

[boomerang905]

I just heard of Mr. Flanigan's passing. It is no doubt that these were musical geniuses. I am re-discovering that superb harmony and the fact that they were musicians as well. RIP Mr. Flanigan......I really mean it....

[NanBayKid1]

I am so sorry to hear of Bobs passing. The Four Freshmen has been and will always be one of my BEST favorites groups. Passarorjp --Thanks for posting. This group and STAN KENTON are some of my all time favorites. Appreciate it.

[MikeWilliamsonMusic]

Rest in peace Bob.

[joni4749]

Love their harmony/voicings. First time I heard them I stopped dead in my tracks!WHAT WAS THAT!

Just like when I first heard Girl From Ipanema  - my first Bossa Nova. Same thing.

[TennTux]

RIP Bob.....

Thank you for all of the great music!

[thevoiceoftheBBs]

I was honored to introduce Bob at a ceremony establishing the Beach Boys' / Wilson family home as a California Historic Landmark. On that hot May 20 day in 2005, Bob joined Brian Wilson, Alan Jardine, Dave Marks & other honred guests as a monument honoring America's Band was unvieled. The Four Freshmen-along with the Hi-Lo's-were Brian's primary inspiration for the harmonies that would define the The Beach Boys signature sound. Bob's high tenor part would inspire Brian's unique high falseto.

[pkmods1]

It's a Blue World.........R.I.P. my friend

[jazzalex22]

RIP Bob Flanigan.

[happymoogman]

Rest in peace, Bob. And thanks so much for leaving your fantastic music. There have been many vocal groups since the FF, but none have quite the same amazing sound!

[jsteele21]

R.I.P. Bobby.........

[flagday45]

Just found out Bob died today. What a wonderful group they were. RIP

[DFbighair]

My Mom sang with The Four Freshman back in the day...I was a little girl, but I grew up hearing all the stories of her singing on the radio in Columbus Indiana, and with The Four Freshman.....her name was Gretchen Lemley ( Pelton Tucker ). She died 2 years ago at age 82.

[Desoto875]

It's A Blue World I was immediately hooked from then on. I knew Beach Boys literally, but I was forever changed after I heard what changed inspired Brian Wilson.

[Organwiz1]

Like so many others I have been a Freshmen fan since the mid 50's. Saw the originals at the old Crest Show Bar on Grand River in Detroit. Saw then in concert many times, and like Bob, I live in the Las Vegas area myself for the last 22 years. Got to meet Bob in one of their last performances in the Sahara Lounge before he called it quits.

Thanks Bob for all the great songs over all these years. You are missed!

[KaRidder234]

Their best is "FF with Five Trumpets". Thanks for posting.

[9876543217303]

Yes, Brian Wilson did pattern himself after the Letterman. I recently wrote a story about guy groups with the name four in them. The letterman heads the list because of the superb harmony and their longer tenure in the industry. They blended some of Glen Miller's HiLo's in their singing. All fabulous to listen to. I grew up on them too. We know music is different today and don't have to compare one form to the other. We should just know what was best. Peace.

[pkmods1]

@9876543217303 That would be Glenn Miller's, Modernaires.........

[gingerlrss]

I like the interview with Bob Flanigan. I have been a fan of the FOUR FRESHMEN since 1955. I saw them in Santa Cruz, summer 1959. They were huddled together using 2 mics singing on stage over a semi crowded dance floor. They sounded sooooooooo good then. What a pleasure it was to see my favorite group and have one of my albums autographed. vlr in Oregon

[passarorjp]

Hello Tony, I couldn't agree with you more... This is wonderful music!

[tonyfrom45]

It's such a pity that the young audiences of today are being bombarded with the atavistic approach called "rap," that has neither music, nor any redeeming qualities, rather than hearing this wonderful artistry on a regular basis. It's shameful that in our country, this wonderful music is relegated to "museums of the ears."

TONY OF MONTEREY

[murnien]

Butler finally awarded him his degree and,"poof" they're in the NCAA finals. The guy's still got it!

[gibsonphoto]

Great to see and hear Bob on a local TV show. This is where the real stuff gets seen. Thanks to TV99 wherever you are.

Now we need to see and hear Ross telling us so that "now you know"

[msfoz]

It's a bird - it's a plane - no, it's Long Tall Hero #1. Hey, Flan, it's Foz and what a gift this is for those of us who don't get to see you out on the road anymore. You're lookin good, as always - we miss you! xxxooo Foz

[ph1lanthrope]

Nice to see and hear Bob talking about his legacy! Many thanks!

[editdave]

Thanks for posting this. As a life-long fan of the Beach Boys, it's wonderful to hear where that exquisite sound originated. Brian Wilson (in his youth) really mimicked Bob Flanigan's falsetto beautifully.

[moveonupcb]

i bet he could sing danny boy great!!

[hhn1000]

Loved them for 50+ years. And the newest group is just great!

[martywilson1962]

I play the record in the background "with 5 trombones every month or so.Great recording,arrangements by Pete Rugolo,the best trombonists ever inc the marvellous Frank Rosolino.Enjoyed the video

[dewey44]

The Four Freshmen are the ultimate vocal group-period. Although there were many outstanding groups: Hi-Los, Ink Spots, Platters to name a few, but this groups sound and musicianship place it at the very top. Why can't we hear music like this on the radio today? Thank You for this great post.

[oldies4dino]

these kids now adays don't know talent...i agree they r the best vocal group of all time....and i'm only 39....been listening to them since i was a kid..thanx to my dad

[Donbojazz]

There Will Never Be Another You.

[dr37sam]

What a great guy! Never too busy to talk to his fans.They were the best!

[WacoTeaParty]

They still are the best! Bob has kept The Four Freshmen going continuously by recruiting great young musicians and teaching them how to keep the sound alive. The current edition is fantastic. Check out their website and join the Four Freshmen Society. Then come to the convention in Atlanta in August and meet Bob in person.

[freshmenfan]

I've been a Bob Flanigan fan since 1954.

His "feel" in that tenor range made the

Four Freshmen so extra unique. What a pleasure to see Bob lookin'

so good way up here in '09.

-Four Freshmen Fanatic, Johnny August.

[passarorjp]

Hi Johnny,

I've been a fan too, so it was an honor to work with such a nice man... Those are my original LP's in the background.

Bob loves his family and loves to talk about his grandkids.