21 Facts About Gil Robbins

Gilbert Lee Robbins was an American folk singer, folk musician and actor.

Gil Robbins moved with his family to Los Angeles, California, when he was less than one year old.

Gil Robbins began playing with the percussion section of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra as a high school student.

Gil Robbins met his future wife, Mary Bledsoe, then a collegiate flautist, as a student at UCLA.

Gil Robbins left UCLA before his graduation and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951.

Gil Robbins played with several bands and musicians early in his career.

Gil Robbins soon became active in the city's folk music scenes, especially in Greenwich Village.

Gil Robbins recorded three albums with the Cumberland Three, including two albums of American Civil War music.

Gil Robbins left the Cumberland Three after three albums and joined the Belafonte Singers, a twelve-member group which performed with Harry Belafonte.

Gil Robbins joined the folk band, The Highwaymen in 1962, replacing departing member Stephen Trott, who left the band to attend Harvard Law School.

Gil Robbins remained as a member of the band for three years until its breakup in 1964.

Gil Robbins, who appeared on five of the band's albums, performed for the band as a guitarron mexicano player, songwriter and baritone singer.

Gil Robbins has been credited with influencing some of The Highwaymen more politically oriented music during his membership.

Gil Robbins became the manager of The Gaslight Cafe, a former folk music club in New York City's Greenwich Village, during the late 1960s.

Gil Robbins became active within other sectors of the Greenwich Village community, including as the choir director of the Church of St Joseph in Greenwich Village.

Gil Robbins founded the Occasional Singers, a choral group which performed "avant garde" music, according to the New York Times.

Gil Robbins worked as a stage actor in New York City, including off Broadway productions and musicals.

Gil Robbins was cast in several small films roles, including Bob Roberts in 1992, Dead Man Walking in 1995, the 1999 dramatic film, Cradle Will Rock, and the 1998 M Night Shyamalan film, Wide Awake.

Additionally, Gil Robbins worked as a musical consultant and vocal coach.

Gil Robbins died at his home in Esteban Cantu, Baja California, Mexico from prostate cancer on April 5,2011, two days after his 80th birthday.

Gil Robbins was survived by his wife Mary Robbins.