The writer of the lyrics of the very droll classic 'I'm Hip' and songs on television series Schoolhouse Rock such as 'The Number Cruncher' and 'I'm Just A Bill' the supremely witty lyricist and songwriter Dave Frishberg has died at the age of 88, his wife April Magnusson confirming news of his death to The New York Times. Interested in boogie-woogie early on pianist Frishberg graduated from the University of Minnesota as a journalism major in 1955.

After air force duty he moved to New York, playing solo piano at a spot called the Duplex in Greenwich Village and began working during this time in the Big Apple with the likes of the great singer Carmen McRae. Frishberg wrote the lyrics of 'I'm Hip' and will also be remembered for the classic 'Peel Me A Grape' first recorded by Anita O'Day with Cal Tjader released in 1962 and which Diana Krall became renowned for interpreting in the 1990s.

'My Attorney Bernie' is also a classic among his work (Bernie's ''a purist not your polyester tourist'') and was again interpreted by Blossom Dearie. In the 70s Frishberg relocated to Los Angeles and worked in the studios. A decade later he made the move to Portland in Oregon where he passed away, Frishberg collaborations included work with Johnny Mandel, Alan Broadbent, Al Cohn and indelibly Dearie who recorded 'I'm Hip' at Ronnie Scott's in a delicious version in 1966.