Bob Dorough
A sly jazz virtuoso who taught a generation grammar and math through the infectious grooves of Schoolhouse Rock!
1923–2018 (age 95)·American pianist, singer, and composer·Birthday: December 12·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Bob Dorough operated in the cool, sophisticated world of bebop, playing with legends like Miles Davis, before becoming an unlikely educational hero. In the early 1970s, an advertising executive, frustrated his son couldn't remember multiplication tables but knew Beatles lyrics by heart, recruited Dorough to set math to music. The result was 'Schoolhouse Rock!', a series of animated shorts where Dorough's witty, catchy tunes made concepts like 'Conjunction Junction' and 'Three Is a Magic Number' part of the cultural fabric. His voice, an off-kilter, conversational tenor, became the sound of Saturday morning learning for millions. Dorough never left jazz behind, maintaining a respected career as a pianist and singer who brought a playful, intellectual charm to everything he touched, seamlessly bridging 52nd Street and elementary school classrooms.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Bob was born in 1923, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1923
#1 Movie
The Covered Wagon
Bob's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1923Born
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1928Started school
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1936Became a teenager
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Could drive
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1941Could vote
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1944Turned 21
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1953Turned 30
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 40
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 50
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 60
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 70
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2003Turned 80
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2018Died at 95
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
Key Achievements
- Composed and performed iconic songs for the educational television series 'Schoolhouse Rock!', including 'Conjunction Junction' and 'Three Is a Magic Number'.
- Recorded the album 'Blue Xmas' with Miles Davis, providing vocals and arrangements.
- Released the cult classic jazz vocal album 'Just About Everything' in 1966.
- Served as musical director for vocalist Blossom Dearie and had a long career as a performing jazz artist.
Did You Know?
He was the only performer to contribute to the entire original run of 'Schoolhouse Rock!' from 1973 to 1985.
Miles Davis personally requested Dorough to write and sing 'Blue Xmas' after hearing his work.
He originally moved to New York City to study composition at Columbia University under the GI Bill.
His song 'I'm Hip' is a satirical jazz standard covered by many artists, including David Frishberg.
“I just tried to make the songs musical and not talk down to the kids.”
