Sound Shore

Via the Los Angeles Times news wire: Dave Fisher, founding member and lead singer of the 1960s folk group the Highwaymen, whose recording of the Civil War anti-slavery song “Michael, Row the Boat Ashore” became a surprise pop hit in 1962, has died. He was 69.

Fisher died Friday at his home in Rye of myelofibrosis, a rare blood disease, family friend Nicole Fiftal said Wednesday.

Fisher formed what became the Highwaymen in 1958 with other students at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., during the height of the folk music renaissance that had been spurred by Woody Guthrie, the Weavers, the Kingston Trio and others…. The Highwaymen recorded eight albums before disbanding in 1964. Fisher remained in music and, in 1969, moved to Los Angeles, where he spent many years as a composer, arranger and music producer in film and television, having contributed music to TV series including “The Fall Guy,” “Glory Years,” “Pensacola” and, fittingly, “The Highwayman.” … His only solo album, “Love’s Way,” came out in 2002.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Haagen; a son, Casey; a daughter, Charlotte; a stepson, Jed Burgess; and a sister, Joan Fare.