Bob Burnett
February 7, 1940 – December 8, 2011
Photo by Mark Swirsky
Bob Burnett was an original member of the Highwaymen, an influential collegiate folk group whose “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” and “Cotton Fields” were two of the most significant songs to come along during the ’60s folk scene. Formed in 1958, the group drew sizable crowds along the college circuit while popularizing traditional American music to a whole new generation. In 1961, the group scored its biggest hit with “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore,” which reached #1 on the singles chart and sold over a million copies. That was followed by the nearly as successful, “Cotton Fields.” The Highwaymen broke up in 1964, freeing up Burnett to pursue a law degree from Harvard. After accomplishing that, he went on to have a long and successful career in law and banking. In 1990, the Highwaymen reunited for a second run which found them doing weekend concerts and recording several more albums. Bob Burnett, 71, died as the result of brain cancer on December 7, 2011. He follows band mates Chan Daniels, Dave Fisher, and later member, Gil Robbins (father of actor, Tim Robbins), who have all passed away as well.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
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