Dave Frishberg, Jazz Songwriter Behind ‘I’m Just a Bill’ on ‘Schoolhouse Rock,’ Dies at 88

Dave Frishberg, a prolific, comedic jazz songwriter whose work stretched more than 5 decades, died Wednesday in Portland, Oregon following an illness. He was 88; his wife confirmed his death to the New York Times.

Though Frishberg worked prominently with several major artists over his long career, he is perhaps best known for his contribution to the 1970’s Saturday morning cartoon “Schoolhouse Rock,” the memorable song “I’m Just a Bill.”

Born in 1933 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Frishberg learned to play Jazz and other forms of popular music from a young age; after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a journalism degree, he served in the Air Force for two years, after which he moved to New York City to pursue a music career.

He made a name for himself through his humorous compositions often referencing or satirizing popular culture and current events, and moved to Los Angeles in 1971 where he began working as a session musician and film and TV composer. This led eventually to his work on “Schoolhouse Rock,” and “I’m Just a Bill,” which remains perhaps the best known song from the show’s 1973-1983 run, having been parodied by “The Simpsons” and “Saturday Night Live.”

He was also nominated for the Best Jazz Vocals Grammy award 4 times.

Frishberg moved to Portland, Oregon in 1986 and remained there until his death, continuing to record and perform well into the 2010s.

For those who never saw the show during it’s run, here’s “I’m Just a Bill.”