Robert Hazard (né Rimato; August 21, 1948 – August 5, 2008) was an American musician. He wrote, composed, and recorded (as a demo) the song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" in 1979, which was recorded in 1983 by Cyndi Lauper, who turned it into a best-selling hit. He also composed the new-wave and MTV songs "Escalator of Life" and "Change Reaction", which he performed with his band, Robert Hazard and the Heroes, that was popular in the Philadelphia club scene during the 1980s. These songs appeared on the five song EP Robert Hazard, released in June 1982 by his own record label "RHA Records", and the next November by major label RCA Records. RCA released his first LP album, Wing of Fire, in January 1984.

Biography

Early life and studies

Robert Hazard was born on August 21, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of an opera singer. He grew up in Springfield Township, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Springfield High School in 1966.

Music career and genres developed

Kurt Loder profiled him in a 1981 Rolling Stone article, describing Hazard as a musician "...who started out as a Dylan-era folkie, then spent eight years singing country & western. 'I just love country music', he explains, which of course explains nothing, least of all the two years he subsequently spent with a reggae band... or his current electro-pop approach, which owes little to any of the above."

Last albums made of country music

His final recordings were country albums, beginning with The Seventh Lake (2003) and continuing with Blue Mountain (2004). In 2007, Rykodisc signed Hazard and released his album, Troubadour.

Death and Family

Hazard died 16 days before his 60th birthday at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on August 5, 2008, following surgery for pancreatic cancer with which he had recently been diagnosed. He was living with his wife Susan K Selander and two sons Rex and Remy near Old Forge, New York, at the time of his death. He also is survived by an older daughter, Corrina, from a previous marriage.

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Compilation albums

Singles