Gil Robbins

Gilbert Lee Robbins, born April 3, 1931, in Spokane, Washington, was an American folk singer, musician, actor, and stage performer whose career spanned several decades. He died on April 5, 2011, two days after his 80th birthday, at his home in Esteban Cantu, Baja California, Mexico, from prostate cancer. He was the father of actor and director Tim Robbins.

Robbins grew up in Los Angeles, California, where his family relocated before he was a year old. As a high school student, he played in the percussion section of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra. He later enrolled at UCLA on a scholarship, serving as drum major for the university's marching band. It was at UCLA that he met Mary Bledsoe, a collegiate flautist who would become his wife. Before completing his degree, Robbins enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951, where he served as a conductor and drum major for the 542nd Division at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama.

His professional music career began in earnest when he joined the Cumberland Three in 1960, a trio formed by musician John Stewart in partnership with Roulette Records. The group relocated to New York City, where Robbins became embedded in the folk music community, particularly in Greenwich Village. He recorded three albums with the Cumberland Three, two of which focused on American Civil War music. He subsequently joined the Belafonte Singers, a twelve-member ensemble that performed alongside Harry Belafonte, and also performed with Tom Paxton.

In 1962, Robbins joined the Highwaymen, replacing Stephen Trott, who departed to attend Harvard Law School. During his three years with the band before its 1964 breakup, Robbins contributed as a baritone singer, songwriter, and guitarrón mexicano player. He appeared on five of the band's albums, with live credits including Hootenanny With the Highwaymen, One More Time, and Homecoming. He has been credited with shaping some of the Highwaymen's more politically oriented material. The New York Times described Robbins as a fixture on the folk-music scene.

During the late 1960s, Robbins managed the Gaslight Cafe, a Greenwich Village folk club where Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and Bruce Springsteen performed early in their careers. He also served as choir director at the Church of St. Joseph in Greenwich Village and founded the Occasional Singers, a choral group that, according to the New York Times, performed avant-garde music.

Robbins pursued a parallel career as a stage actor, appearing on Broadway between 1970 and 1975. His Broadway credits include 1776, Rainbow Jones, and A Gala Tribute to Joshua Logan. He also took part in off-Broadway productions and musicals in New York City. His film work included small roles in Bob Roberts in 1992, Dead Man Walking in 1995, Wide Awake in 1998, and Cradle Will Rock in 1999. In addition to performing, he worked as a musical consultant and vocal coach. Robbins was survived by his wife Mary, who died twelve days after him at the age of 78.