Singer Rob Morsberger, 53, Passes Away On June 2, 2013
Singer Rob Morsberger, 53, Passes Away on June 2, 2013
Singer Rob Morsberger passed away on June 2, 2013. He was 53 years old. He is survived by his sons Elan, Jesse and Ben, his sister Wendy, his father Philip and other family members.
To those who embraced his music, he was a brilliant artist…to those fortunate enough to know him, he will always be a cherished friend.
In September of 2011, Morsberger was diagnosed with grade 4 Glioblastoma. In the months following this shocking news, Morsberger was determined to release a series of new albums, as his battle with terminal brain cancer was documented by USA TODAY, WBUR/PRI’s Here & Now and numerous other outlets. Listen to a range of Rob Morsberger’s music, here: http://www.robmorsberger.com/albums
A documentary about Morsberger’s life and art is currently in the works (footage below).
He recently wrote in album notes:
I am nearing the end of my story now, with a terminal illness. I have had a wonderful life, and feel so thankful that I have gotten to see this story end so happily, with so much joy, and the feeling that I have been able to honor the gifts that the universe bestowed on me. One can ask for no greater blessing than that; unless it is the knowledge that one leaves behind three wonderful sons; all doomed, I fear, to be artists of one kind or another, already reaching far beyond the accomplishments of the father who loves them always.
Rob Morsberger – October 14, 2012 Croton on Hudson, NY
USA TODAY – Exclusive Video Clips -3/7/2013 By Elysa Gardner
Singer/songwriter documenting battle with brain cancer –
Watch excerpts from Rob Morsberger’s forthcoming documentary:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/03/07/rob-morsberger-in-performance/1971117/
http://www.usatoday.com/videos/life/music/2013/03/07/1971615/
http://www.usatoday.com/videos/life/music/2013/03/07/1971613/
WBUR – PRI – HERE & NOW – On-Air Interview – 4/4/13 – By Alex Ashlock
Boston’s NPR News Station Musician Rob Morsberger Faces His Own Mortality – LISTEN HERE: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/04/04/rob-morsberger-cancer-2
Morsberger recently visited his former home of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was profiled in their major daily newspaper, The Herald: ‘I’ve no regrets, no unfulfilled dreams’ http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/music/ive-no-regrets-no-unfulfilled-dreams.19701746
Philadelphia Daily News: http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-11/news/31669695_1_song-cycle-concert-hall-lyrics .
Rob Morsberger Biography:
Rob Morsberger was known for his wonderfully twisted perspective, lyrics that were never dumbed down for the listener, and an ear for complex melody. His songs are characterized by their esoteric surprises and their unwavering intelligence. He has rightfully drawn comparisons to Tom Waits, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Robbie Robertson and Warren Zevon (mixed with a touch of Randy Newman’s absurdist wit).
Morsberger was a singer-songwriter and classically-trained composer. His albums have been featured in national and regional press, including USA TODAY, via PRI/NPR, The New York Times, M Music & Musicians Magazine, and in numerous other outlets. Read some of the reviews, here . Writing in The Boston Herald, rock critic Kevin Convey praised Morsberger for “the kind of hyperliterate, pop-inflected singer-songwriter outing that went out of style when Warren Zevon died. And…he can write a hook that could make angels weep.”
As a sideman/arranger, Morsberger’s credits include Patti Smith, the Grammy-winning Boardwalk Empire soundtrack album, My Morning Jacket, Crash Test Dummies, Marshall Crenshaw, Willie Nile, Jules Shear, Loudon Wainwright III, and more. Recent collaborations include albums with Suzzy and Lucy Wainwright Roche, Brad Roberts, and more.
A leading composer for PBS, his scoring credits include Masterpiece Theater, NOVA and Frontline. He was composer for the award-winning PBS series NOVAscienceNOW for its first five seasons.
Born in Ohio, Rob grew up in Oxford, England and studied composition at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to his death on June 2, 2013, he lived with his family in the Hudson Valley, just north of New York City.
Source: www.robmorsberger.com
