Early Brian Wilson influence passes on...

LAS VEGAS – Bob Flanigan, an original member of the four-part jazz vocal harmony group The Four Freshmen, has died in Las Vegas at age 84, a manager of the group said Monday.  Flanigan and his cousins Ross Barbour and Don Barbour formed the group in 1948 with Hal Kratzsch while attending Butler University in Indiana. Flanigan played trombone and bass and sang lead parts.   Don Barbour died in a car crash in 1961. Kratzsch died in 1970.   The group produced more than 50 albums and 70 singles, and had six Grammy nominations over the years.  Their best-known recordings were "It's a Blue World" in 1952, "Mood Indigo" in 1954, "Day by Day" in 1955 and "Graduation Day" in 1956. The group was credited with being an early influence on Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson. - (more)