 Robert Hazard, Philly rocker, dies at 59 By Michael Klein - Phila. Inquirer Staff Writer Robert Hazard, 59, the Philadelphia-bred rock troubadour who wrote the pop anthem "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," died unexpectedly Tuesday night after surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, his widow, Susan, confirmed today. Mr. Hazard, who lived with his wife and two teenage sons in the Adirondacks and in Vero Beach, Fla., last month had canceled a planned fall tour without explanation. Robert Hazard and the Heroes, born out of the late-1970s punk movement, were a fixture on the local bar scene through the mid-1980s. One night in a motel in Delaware, Mr. Hazard sat in a bathtub and in 15 minutes wrote "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," a sprightly pop tune covered in 1983 by Cyndi Lauper. Labeled a feminist anthem, it shot to No. 1. Miley Cyrus' remake is included on her new album, Breakout. In an autobiography from 2003, Mr. Hazard - born Robert Rimato - acknowledged that his father was an opera singer. "Obviously, I didn't follow in his footsteps, but did learn a bit about music appreciation," he wrote. "I started singing and writing songs about about age 10. I didn't really play guitar till much later. In my teens I would audition at coffee houses like the Second of Autumn and the Edge" in the Philadelphia area. "I never got a job, but learned about acoustic music by hanging out at these places listening to Eric Andersen, Chris Smither, Jimmy Webb, and other great song writers and poet guitar players." From his first marriage, he had a daughter, Corrina. With Susan, whom he married in 1986, he had sons Rex and Remy. The couple own an antiques shop near their home in Old Forge, N.Y. In his autobiography, Mr. Hazard recounted his big break in 1982: "One night, we were playing a little joint called J.C. Dobbs on South Street. Kurt Loder was in town to review the opening of a world tour by another band called the Rolling Stones, who were playing at JFK Stadium that same night. After the Stones concert, Kurt stopped into Dobbs for a beer. I stayed up talking with him till 5 o'clock in the morning. The next month, there was a two-page spread in Rolling Stone magazine, pictures and all, raving about the band. Soon after that, we were signed to RCA Records." The Hazard song "Escalator of Life" charted soon after. In more recent years, he delved into country, forming a band The Hombres. He said his favorite shows were what he called "the stripped-down acoustic concerts I did with my buddy Michael Pilla. I thought these were the most rewarding and the most appreciated by my audience." Memorial services were incomplete today, though Susan Hazard said something would be planned for next week in his hometown. |
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Play Escalator Of Life Play Change Reaction Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: Escalator of Life Change Reaction Hang Around With You Out Of The Blue Blowin' In The Wind Fire On Fire Interplanetary Private Eye The Cool Life Undercover Lover She's Hot Miami Beach Darling Hip Pocket Be My Girl Hard Hearted Say Yo (LIVE)  | | From 2004 Play Whole Lot Of Water Play Pretty Little Thing Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: Pretty Little Thing Whole Lot of Water Shadow Everybody's Talkin' Shanty Town Open My Heart In the Middle Lookin' for Love Route 666 Born to Fly Hell's Gate, Georgia |
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From 2004 Play All Night Long Play Blue Mountain Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: Wish Me Luck All Night Long Blue Mountain Outside Looking In Turtle Dove Hard Hands Ridin' High The Ballad of John F. Fahey Cherokee Moon Rag Wild Out There End of the Line Comin' Back For You
No longer available on CD! | | From 1998 Play Lonely Too Play King Of England Play Samples of the entire album Songs on this album are: Lonely Too Alone With You King of England Style Out Of It Neon Blue Nothing Sacred One Night At A Time We Fall |
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| About Robert Hazard:
I was born in Philadelphia at the dawn of the rock ‘n’ roll era. My father was an opera singer with the Philadelphia Opera Company. Obviously, I didn’t follow in his footsteps, but I did learn a bit about music appreciation. I started singing and writing songs when I was 10. I didn’t really play guitar till much later. In my teens I would audition at coffee houses like “The Second of Autumn” and “The Edge” in the Philadelphia area. I never got a job, but learned about acoustic music by hanging out at these places listening to Eric Andersen, Chris Smither, Jimmy Webb, and other great song writers and poet guitar players. I married young and made a beautiful daughter, “Corrina,” after the old blues tune. She gives me nothing but trouble and is the inspiration for lots of songs, especially “Pretty Little Thing.,” from my new CD, THE SEVENTH LAKE. In the late ‘70s, I became enraptured with the punk movement – Dead Boys, Ramones, Pistols, Clash, etc., and formed a band, Robert Hazard and the Heroes. We played every bar in the Philadelphia area. We were either working or rehearsing seven nights a week for two years. By 1981, the band had become well-known in the area. I had written some strong material and the band was getting tight. My generous Uncle Vaughn loaned me $12,000 to make a five-song EP which we recorded at Sigma Sound, the legendary “Sound of Philadelphia” studio. By 1982, the self-produced EP had sold over 50,000 copies locally. One night, we were playing a little joint called J.C. Dobbs on South Street. Kurt Loder was in town to review the opening of a world tour by another band called the Rolling Stones, who were playing at JFK Stadium that same night. After the Stones concert, Kurt stopped into Dobbs for a beer. I stayed up talking with him till five o’clock in the morning. The next month, there was a two-page spread in Rolling Stone Magazine, pictures and all, raving about the band. Soon after that, we were signed to RCA Records. RCA did a national release of the EP featuring the song “Escalator of Life,” getting us into the 50’s on the Billboard chart. We played everywhere from clubs to concert arenas, including all the music television shows like Bandstand and Solid Gold. We toured with U2 and the Motels and on our own for about a year. Then we made the Wing of Fire full length album. “Escalator of Life” and “Change Reaction” were featured on MTV. Back in ’79, I had written a song, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” In 1984, Cyndi Lauper had a big hit with it. The song continues to live on classic rock radio and on TV commercials like the Carnival Cruise Line ads. In more recent years, I formed a country band called “The Hombres” and made a record called Howl, produced by Ian Cross (Janet Jackson, Rickie Lee Jones). I played a string of shows opening for Bob Dylan, which were magical for me. But my favorite shows were the stripped-down acoustic concerts I did with my buddy Michael Pilla. I thought these were the most rewarding and the most appreciated by my audience. My music and my life have come full circle. I am married again with two wonderful sons. We live in Vero Beach, Florida in the winter and in the Adirondack Mountains in the summer. I think I am writing the best songs I ever have and feel satisfied with the poetry and stories in all their depth and simplicity. This is music to share with whoever wants to listen. THE SEVENTH LAKE, my current CD, was recorded in Brattleboro, Vermont and produced by musician extraordinaire Tom “T-Bone” Wolk. We had a great time making it. I hope you like it. Please visit Robert's web site |