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06 May 08 - 07:35 PM (#2334449) Subject: Obit: Bob Norman From: WFDU - Ron Olesko I received an e-mail from Mark Moss, editor of Sing Out! Magazine, informing us that Bob Norman passed away this past Sunday. Bob was 61 years old and died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Bob was the editor of Sing Out! Magazine from 1970 to 1977 and he kept the magazine alive at a time when "folk music" was being ignored by the mainstream music industry. Bob went on to become a part of the Fast Folk Music Magazine, contributing several songs and keeping active in the NYC folk community. He recorded several CD's, and his last visit on my radio program was about a year after 9/11. He sang a song about that tragic day after seeing the towers fall while sitting on a NJ Transit train waiting to head into the city. Bob lived in Manhattan for a number of years and he captured the spirit of the city in his songs. The folk music community in our area was better because of Bob. He made a difference in this world. My condolences to his wife Clara and their son Samuel as well as all his family and friends. |
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06 May 08 - 10:04 PM (#2334511) Subject: RE: Obit:Former Sing Out! Editor Bob Norman (May 2008) From: WFDU - Ron Olesko the official obit from Bob's family: Robert Stephen Norman, 61, of Lawrenceville died on Sunday at his home of metastatic prostate cancer. Born in New London, CT, he was a Lawrenceville resident since 1994 after living in New York City for 30 years. Bob graduated form Columbia University in 1969 with a degree in English Literature Bob had been a copy editor for Business Week Magazine for twenty years, but his passion and true vocation was music. He was a well-known singer/songwriter folksinger locally and across the country for over 30 years. From 1970 to 1977, he was editor-in-chief of Sing Out!, and was on its board until 1990. His CD titles include: Romantic Nights on the Upper Westside; To the Core; Love, Lust, and Lilacs; and Time Takin' Man. His music fused varied influences of blues, country, contemporary folk, and classical guitar writing about topics ranging from the streets of New York to local life in Lawrenceville. Son of the late Victor and Francis (Sharaf) Norman and brother of the late Jon Norman, he is survived by his wife Clara Haignere, his son Samuel Norman-Haignere, his nephew Daniel Norman, and his nieces: Forest Cattich and Martina Norman Botinelli. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. Burial will be in the Lawrenceville Cemetery. The family extends an invitation to friends to come to their home at K18 Shirley Lane, Lawrenceville after the burial. A memorial service will be held on May 17th at a time and place to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please tax-deductible donations can be made to Sing Out! Magazine (P.O. Box 5460 Bethlehem PA 18015) or to the Westminster Conservatory Young Artist's Program. Check should include a note that it is for the Young Artist's Program in Memory of Bob Norman to Westminster Conservatory, Attn Sandra Franc, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton NJ 08540. |
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06 May 08 - 10:28 PM (#2334537) Subject: RE: Obit:Former Sing Out! Editor Bob Norman (May 2008) From: Janie Thanks for letting us know,Ron. My sympathy to his family and all who loved him. May he rest in peace. Janie |
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06 May 08 - 11:13 PM (#2334577) Subject: RE: Obit:Former Sing Out! Editor Bob Norman (May 2008) From: EBarnacle I knew and respected Bob. He is the one who got me to act as a reviewer for Sing Out and fostered my relationship with many of the folkies I still know and hang out with. In many ways he was as seminal as Pete, being the guy in the office who kept everything going. |
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07 May 08 - 08:14 AM (#2334770) Subject: RE: Obit:Former Sing Out! Editor Bob Norman (May 2 From: Charley Noble I'm really sad to learn about this. I did meet Bob Norman in the late 1970's, and corresponded with him afterwards with regard to collection urban housing songs. Here's one of his favorite creations from that period with a few notes: La Rosita de Broadway When people are involved in a protracted housing struggle, it is heartening to have someone write songs which affirm the values that are in balance. One of the best examples of this has to be a song written by Bob Norman in the winter of 1978. Here's how Bob introduced his song at a tenants association benefit party on New York City's Upper West Side: "This is a song about our neighborhood. All of the rent strikes that have been going on here aren't just about specific conditions in people's buildings; they're also about preserving the character of the neighborhood against the designs of the landlords here. I firmly believe that landlords would like to see the Upper West Side either be a slum or a fashionable place for rich people only. I hope that never happens." Words and music by Bob Norman © 1978 With new words added by composer 11/4/81 In Sing Out!, Vol. 27, #2, pp. 22, 1978 La Rosita de Broadway Chorus: Ah, La Rosita de Broadway, Ah, La Rosita de Broadway, La Rosita de Broadway. Caldo gallego with white beans, Sausage and pig's knuckle too, In the midst of the day in this warm summer rain, La Rosita, we all come to you. (CHO) The Dominicanos come in here to argue, And the Cubans for el Capitan cigars, And the warm, sharp tongue of the waitress, And the sound of the Spanish guitar. (CHO) Out in the rain the wars continue; The lines are drawn clear and fine like knives; Ah, but here there is peace for half an hour at least, Such a fragile flower of Broadway. (CHO) Charley Noble |
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07 May 08 - 09:50 AM (#2334857) Subject: RE: Obit:Former Sing Out! Editor Bob Norman (May 2008) From: Mark Ross I used to see Bob when I was in NYC in the '70's, helped move the SING OUT office in '76. Sorry to hear about this. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Mark Ross |
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08 May 08 - 09:42 AM (#2335696) Subject: RE: Obit:Former Sing Out! Editor Bob Norman (May 2008) From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Mark Moss shared some of his memories of Bob on the Sing Out! website - Sing Out! - Bob Norman |