The musician behind the famous Schoolhouse Rock! song “I’m Just a Bill,” Dave Frishberg, died Wednesday at the age of 88.
The Grammy-nominated jazz musician’s wife, April Magnusson, confirmed his death to the New York Times on Thursday. He died in the city of Portland, Oregon.
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“We are saddened to report that Dave passed away today, after battling illness for several years,” Magnusson wrote on Wednesday in the description section of a GoFundMe campaign that was set up to help with Frishberg’s medical care. “As a result, we are suspending the campaign, but your thoughts and support are always welcome.”
Frishberg wrote his first song, “Peel Me a Grape,” in 1962, then moved to Los Angeles in 1971 to pursue work on NBC variety show The Funny Side, starring Gene Kelly, according to Entertainment.
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Frishberg became well-known for his musical contributions to ABC’s Saturday morning cartoon Schoolhouse Rock!
His first piece for the show became the classic hit “I’m Just a Bill,” a jazzy cartoon explanation to children on how a bill becomes a law in Washington, D.C.
The song’s vocals were performed by trumpeter Jack Sheldon.
