A Visit with Bob Flanigan of The Four Freshmen
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- 82-year old Bob Flanigan of the original Four Freshmen reminisces with Sun City Anthem's Channel 99's Music editor, Yvonne Cloutier. Bob has retired n Las Vegas, and came to the Retirement Community's station for a visit.
Just imagine influencing Brian Wilson. Bob Flanigan we miss you sir.
When we dedicated the Wilson family home as a California national historic landmark in May of 2005, I was honored to emcee the entire ceremony and, as such, got to introduce the great Bob Flannigan....who you might say provided Brian Wilson with the inspiration for his falsetto voice. Bob was such a gentleman and so complimentary of Brian and The Beach Boys, it was a thrill to meet him for the second time, the first being over 40 years earlier when, as a Freshman at Sacramento State College, I had presented The Four Freshman as a part of our college concert series. "Graduation Day," by the Freshman, was a concert favorite in the early days when The Beach Boys did shows consisting of a number of 'cover songs,' as they did not have enough hits to do a full concert of their originals. RIP Bob Flannigan.
Great story ... thanks for sharing
What a fabulous moment that was, seriously. I regret passing up a Fresh convention a few years before he passed. I was still new to their sound. It would have been a greater thrill than meeting Jimmy Page, with no disrespect to the latter. No joking, those guys made a sound that carried a love of life the way folks related to the world more so in their day. And not being rosy on the past or salty in the present, the Freshmen just had and have a sound that's out of this world. Thanks for sharing your memories.
Its wonderful to be able to watch an interviewer who not only knew her subject matter, posed interesting questions but allowed Bob to talk and expand on his answers in a friendly conversational back and forth.
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.
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.
I became a Freshmen fan in 1954. I saw them as many times as I could. My wife was also a fan. Her favorite was Ross. We saw them at Brandi's Wharf in Philly. Ross kissed my wife (Dorothy) on the cheek.What a thrill for her. They were all gentlemen and the finest singing group bar none. I wish the new group would come to Phila. area....Bill
Hi Chimpsten,
Many thanks for your comment... I loved the man, his music and his persona... The interview was an honor for me to shoot.
What a legend. Thank you so much and God bless the memory of the original Four Freshman ...
Wonderful interview. There’s not many interviews of Flanagan online, so I’m glad to see this. I learned so much.
Oh Bob, we miss you and all the gang! God bless you always and thank you for the music. Also thanks to The current Four Freshmen for making such a great job!! Peace and love to y'all ✌❤
I'm 83, and have seen and heard most of this real time. June Christy sang "Somehing Cool" to me at Zardis on Sunset Boulevard
Love it all even more now
Steve Guinn
Loved their music, Its A Blue World..was my fave...RIP
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.
Saw them a few times in 1970s and 80s in Boston. Great shows. Bob is a real talent.
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.
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!
Excellent interview. Thanks for posting.
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.
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.
I watched this video a few years ago and looked up the King Sisters out of curiosity after hering them mentioned. Now they're one of my favorite groups (along with the freshmen) - thanks for uploading!
I love the King Sisters as well - particularly their later recordings.
Wow, I can really hear how they influenced The Beach Boys. Gotta love those beautiful harmonies.
What a great guy! Never too busy to talk to his fans.They were the best!
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
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.
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
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....
I just noticed they published my comment under my daughter's name, Taylor. This is her 'old man,' her father, Fred:) Taylor did attend the historic dedication but she was only about six at the time:)
Hello Tony, I couldn't agree with you more... This is wonderful music!
Saw the 4 freshmen guess it was in '92 Groningen, Holland. Mr. Bob Flanigan joined the band for 3 songs. Goosebumps all over. Will never forget that concert.
+Oebele Veltman
They gave me lots of goosebumps too... I really miss Bob, he was a fine man.
I was in high school in the late 50's I love the Four Freshman keep singing!!!
Thanks and may B F and the other deceased members RIP. Job well done-extremely well done !
The Voices in Modern album changed my life ... Still love that sound.
As do I!
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.
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.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Bob and the boys for my school paper following a ‘56 concert at the Prom Ballroom in St Paul. (Central High). Such a gentleman!
Indeed he was, Coop… I had the pleasure of entertaining him and his wife Mary in my home shortly before we lost him. He was so proud of his grand children.
@@passarorjp ----we were two high school kids in the performer's dressing room watching them gather their things to move on to the next gig. Bob was so polite....didn't rush us....seriously responded to all of our questions as he moved about the room....Interestingly, we were NOT officially from our school paper, but , rather two guys that just wanted to meet the Freshman. We thought it was pretty nifty to put one over on the Prom management. Would have been fun to see if he recalled the incident. Never know--might have.
I also recall feeling guilty for the deception....wished I could apologize to him....we did, however, write up the interview, and our paper ran it. That tempered my guilt!
This conversation means so much to me. Thanks to Yvonne and Channel 99!.
Ladies and Gentlemen this is the great super fantastic Four Freshmen. Wow they really had it all going for them. The blend of their voices and the musicianship they exhibited are legendary. All of these groups Beach Boys Association have the Four Freshmen to thank for their success. I first heard them do day by day and its a Blue World. Man talk about talent. ?? Wow I wish we have more class talent like this today. Super Bowl Half Time could and should get talent like the Four Freshmen. They are sill my number one group. enough said.
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!
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!
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"
Sometimes a long hiatus can become a work in progress that takes you to places that go beyond the wildest of dreams...So nice to learn that they are from my Alma Mater, Butler University, Jordan College of Music....my, seems like 'only yesterday...'
Try to make a hit album in 2020 with 5 trombones. GOOD LUCK!
Loved them for 50+ years. And the newest group is just great!
RIP Bob.....
Thank you for all of the great music!
Just heard It's a Blue World for the first time and am hooked on these guys.
Bob Flanagan's tenor gave the Four Freshmen the best hi lead ever.I love the fact that his part was actually too high, and he stretched his voice to outer the limits. His reaching sound gave them that ethereal sound.
still believe Jimmy Arnold of the 4 Lads was the best.
Tanks for posting this great talent! I grew up in N. Indiana and we studied those harmonies in HS... The Live album recorded at Purdue Universitty with Stan Kenton, June Christy and the Freshmen was a CLASSIC!
I will listen to your angelical voices and romantic tunes forevermore 🙏🍃🎵🌷🎶🧚♂️🎼
There Will Never Be Another You.
FOREVER THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
My first album with the KENTON band was the Purdue ROAD SHOW where I met the FF. They were great and fit dio well with the band. That was the start of a friendship that I relished. Four great guys!!!!!
Bobby Knight
Yes, you can get the album from Amazon and iTunes has it also. The new 4 Freshmen sound great on one mike as well as part of their act... They tour the US regularly.
Beautiful memories and musical history, Day by Day.
Bob Flanigan, I loved (and I don't use that word loosely) EVERYTHING the Four Freshmen did as I listened to you growing up in Santa Barbara, a beach town in southern California suited to your sound. As Bob Hope would have it, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES! One thing, Bob, before I say adios. Why Las Vegas and not some place like Huntington Beach, where you belong? You just don't seem like a Las Vegas guy.
Incredible interview.
i cant believe I can see him.What a thrill
My mother went to high school with Bob in Greencastle, IN. I think she may have gone out with him once or twice before she met by dad.
Their best is "FF with Five Trumpets". Thanks for posting.
Wonderful.
"Blue World" first big hit! loved the harmony
The legend! Thank you for this interview.
Butler finally awarded him his degree and,"poof" they're in the NCAA finals. The guy's still got it!
RIP, Bob Flanigan, AKA, " "Ol Flan " ------------a total class act.
He was, indeed. A warm and gentle man who genuinely loved doing what he did.
Saw them in person..
We followed Stan Kentons band for years.No one will ever take Stan Kentons place
I agree, the band played to a sold out audience at Wright-Patterson Air Force base in ‘62… We stood at the front of the stage and they blasted us with great sound all evening… Talk about nirvana!
Funny, I know "Day By Day" as the theme song to the late eighties' sitcom of the same name.
I saw The Four Freshmen in London in 1960 and using just one mike, they got THAT sound on stage. It was a great idea to record those albums - my favourite being "The four Trombones". Anybody know where I could get a CD of that particular album?
If you search for The Four Freshmen and Five Trombones you will find it.
R.I.P. Bobby.........
RIP Bob Flanigan.
A singing legend!
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
I first spoke with Bob at the Crescendo on the Sunest Strip. Billie Holiday was their opening act and I was so green I thought "Who is this black lady ? Little did I know of her legend. Anyway, Flanigan said a good tune for a new group is Something In The Wind.
I'm so proud of you!The Four Freshmen
@@boyzapanta2186 I saw them at the Crescendo in May 1957 and the opening act was Lenny Bruce
Good job
I have always loved this group over the years, and I have been listening to them since the late mid-50s! Fabulous harmony -- and they all seemed to play other instruments, esp. in the early years, I don't know about later because they had quite a few singer over the years but never forget their great 4-part harmony! There's really no group like that today, the Manhattan Transfer is good but not nearly as food as the Four Freshmen of the Hi-Lo group. And today's songs do NOT have the harmony potential that the old songs did, too bad.
Rest in peace Bob.
(Cont'd) My apologies. There are many who'll find my post silly. I was totally unaware that Bob Flanigan had transitioned into heaven. As time goes by, as they say.
what year was this interview,bob was always the humor of the group.
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
i bet he could sing danny boy great!!