What if the man singing folk ballads on stage also covered one of the darkest tragedies in American history? That’s the fascinating story of Bob Flick, a man who led an extraordinary double life—first as a founding member of the iconic folk group The Brothers Four and later as a fearless television journalist who survived the infamous Jonestown massacre.
While most know Bob Flick for his folk music legacy with The Brothers Four and his marriage to Hollywood actress Loni Anderson, fewer are aware of his harrowing career as an NBC news producer. From singing “Greenfields” on the Ed Sullivan Show to escaping gunfire in the jungles of Guyana, Bob Flick’s life reads like a movie script.
Let’s explore the remarkable story of the man who was both a musician and a journalist, whose life spanned decades of American entertainment and news history.
Quick Facts About Bob Flick
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bob Flick |
| Born | September 5, 1931 |
| Birthplace | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Died | December 31, 2015 |
| Education | University of Washington |
| Known For | The Brothers Four (folk group); NBC News; Entertainment Tonight |
| Famous Song | “Greenfields” (1960) – hit #2 on Billboard Hot 100 |
| Spouse | Loni Anderson (m. 2008) |
| Occupation | Folk singer, musician, journalist, producer |
The Birth of The Brothers Four
A Fraternity Prank That Changed Everything
Bob Flick’s musical journey began at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he and three fraternity brothers—John Paine, Mike Kirkland, and Dick Foley—were members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity in 1956 . The quartet started singing together in 1957, more than a year before the Kingston Trio made their first record .
At the time, none of them dreamed of becoming professional musicians. Bob Flick himself later recalled, “We had no idea or dream of being professional musicians at that time. It was all music on campus” . They aspired to careers in medicine, engineering, and diplomacy—music was just a fun hobby.
Then, a prank changed everything.
In 1958, a rival fraternity arranged for someone to call the group, pretending to be from Seattle’s Colony Club, and invited them to audition for a gig . Even though they weren’t expected at the club, they were allowed to sing a few songs—and were subsequently hired. Bob Flick humorously recalled that they were paid “mostly in beer” .
The Rise to Fame
The group cut demonstration tapes and headed to San Francisco in 1959, where they met Mort Lewis, Dave Brubeck’s manager . Lewis signed them as clients and secured a contract with Columbia Records later that year.
Their second single, “Greenfields,” released in January 1960, became a massive hit, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over one million copies . The song also topped the music charts in Norway . The Brothers Four were officially stars.
Musical Achievements
Throughout the 1960s, Bob Flick and The Brothers Four enjoyed remarkable success:
- Their 1961 album, B.M.O.C. (Best Music On/Off Campus), reached #4 in the U.S. charts
- They sang “The Green Leaves of Summer” from the John Wayne movie The Alamo at the 1961 Academy Awards
- They recorded the title song for the Hollywood film Five Weeks in a Balloon in 1962
- They recorded the theme song for the ABC television series Hootenanny, “Hootenanny Saturday Night,” in 1963
While the British Invasion and the rise of edgier folk-rock artists like Bob Dylan eventually eclipsed their early success, The Brothers Four never stopped performing . They found new audiences in Japan and on the American hotel circuit, maintaining a busy concert schedule with up to 300 shows a year .
Bob Flick remained with the group for over six decades, still performing as a singer and composer, producing music themes for national broadcasts and documentary films .
The Journalist: A Career in News
From Music to Hard News
Bob Flick’s double life took a dramatic turn when he embarked on a second career in journalism. Beginning in 1958 as a reporter for City News Service in Los Angeles, he worked his way up in the news industry .
He moved to KNXT (now KCBS) in Los Angeles as a news producer-writer during the “The Big News” era of the 1960s, then joined NBC News in the 1970s .
The Jonestown Tragedy
On November 18, 1978, Bob Flick’s life changed forever.
He was working as a West Coast producer for NBC News, accompanying California Congressman Leo Ryan and other journalists and officials to Guyana to investigate allegations that cult leader Jim Jones was abusing his followers .
At the airstrip in Port Kaituma, Guyana, members of the Peoples Temple opened fire . Congressman Ryan, NBC correspondent Don Harris, cameraman Bob Brown, and San Francisco Examiner photographer Greg Robinson were killed . Bob Flick managed to escape .
He helped people to safety and eventually made his way to Puerto Rico, where he filed one of the earliest first-hand reports on the tragedy that resulted in the deaths of 900 cult followers .
The trauma of Jonestown left a deep mark on Bob Flick. According to his friend and former colleague Joe Saltzman, he “never forgave himself for surviving when his colleagues were shot down” .
Entertainment Tonight and Emmy Recognition
Unable to return to covering hard news after the Jonestown experience, Bob Flick transitioned to entertainment journalism . His friend Joe Saltzman recommended him for a job at a new entertainment news show Paramount was putting together .
Bob Flick joined Entertainment Tonight as a head newswriter and coordinating producer in 1981, helping to launch the celebrity-news program that would become a television institution . He remained with the show for 15 years, retiring in 1997 .
His work on Entertainment Tonight earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1987 for Outstanding Informational Series .
Personal Life: Love and Relationships
The Love Story with Loni Anderson
Bob Flick’s personal life came into the spotlight when he married Hollywood actress Loni Anderson, best known for her role as Jennifer Marlowe on WKRP in Cincinnati .
Their love story is remarkably romantic. Bob Flick and Loni Anderson first met in 1963 at a movie premiere in Minneapolis . At the time, a local newspaper picked Anderson as a “lucky young fan” to pose for a picture with the group .
They lost touch over the years but reunited at a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) education campaign in Seattle, where Anderson appeared as a spokesperson .
When they finally married in California on May 17, 2008, they used their 1963 photograph to decorate their wedding cake . The inscription read: “When we met, 5-17-63” . They got married on the very day they met, 45 years later.
Anderson had been married three times before—to Bruce Hasselberg (1964–1966), Ross Bickell (1974–1981), and actor Burt Reynolds (1988–1994) . Anderson’s son Quinton Reynolds (adopted with Burt Reynolds) walked his mother down the aisle when she married Bob Flick .
Family Life
Bob Flick became the stepfather to Anderson’s two children: daughter Deidra from her first marriage and son Quinton from her marriage to Burt Reynolds .
Loni Anderson passed away on August 3, 2025, at age 79 following a prolonged illness . Her family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear wife, mother and grandmother” .
Bob Flick’s Legacy and Current Activities
A Life of Two Careers
Bob Flick’s unique double life makes him a remarkable figure in both music and journalism history. The Brothers Four continue to perform today with Bob Flick remaining an active performer and leader of the group .
The band’s official website states that Bob Flick continues to work as a composer and producer, creating music themes for national broadcast and network television series, documentary films, and more .
Impact on Television
Through his work on Entertainment Tonight, Bob Flick helped shape the landscape of entertainment journalism. The show became a template for countless celebrity-news programs that followed.
Remembering Jonestown
Surviving the Jonestown massacre gave Bob Flick a unique perspective on life. His experience was later featured in CNN’s series The Seventies and the 2008 television documentary Witness to Jonestown . His footage and first-hand accounts continue to provide valuable historical documentation of one of America’s darkest tragedies.
Interesting Facts About Bob Flick
- The “Brothers” name came from their fraternity. All four original members were in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at the University of Washington, hence the “Brothers” appellation .
- He was a “singer, journalist, and producer.” Bob Flick’s career spanned music, hard news, and entertainment television .
- He survived one of the worst tragedies in American journalism. Flick was one of the few journalists to escape the Jonestown massacre on November 18, 1978 .
- His marriage to Loni Anderson was the story of a lifetime. They met as strangers at a movie premiere in 1963 and married 45 years later .
- The Brothers Four were accidental musicians. They never intended to become professionals—it all started as a fraternity prank gone right .
- He had an Emmy nomination. Bob Flick was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 1987 for Entertainment Tonight .
Conclusion
Bob Flick lived a life that few could imagine. From the folk music stages of the 1960s to the newsrooms of NBC and the launch of Entertainment Tonight, he wore many hats—singer, musician, journalist, and producer. His song “Greenfields” brought joy to millions, while his reporting from Jonestown provided crucial coverage of a tragedy.
The trauma of Jonestown haunted Bob Flick for the rest of his life. “He never forgave himself for surviving when his colleagues were shot down,” recalled his friend Joe Saltzman . Yet, rather than retreating from the world, Flick continued to contribute to television and music, channeling his experiences into creativity and service.
His love story with Loni Anderson—a photo-op in 1963 becoming a 45-year-long reunion and marriage—adds a heartwarming chapter to an already remarkable story.
Bob Flick died on December 31, 2015, at age 84 . His legacy lives on through the timeless music of The Brothers Four, the episodes of Entertainment Tonight he helped shape, and the historical record of Jonestown that he courageously brought to the world.
He was, truly, a man of many talents—a singing journalist whose double life leaves us with a story worth telling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Bob Flick?
Bob Flick was an American folk singer, journalist, and producer. He was best known as a founding member of The Brothers Four folk group and as an NBC News producer who survived the Jonestown massacre .
Q: What happened to Bob Flick at Jonestown?
On November 18, 1978, Bob Flick was at an airstrip in Guyana with Congressman Leo Ryan and other journalists when cult followers opened fire. Flick helped people to safety and escaped to Puerto Rico, where he filed one of the earliest reports on the tragedy .
Q: Was Bob Flick married to Loni Anderson?
Yes. Bob Flick married actress Loni Anderson on May 17, 2008, and they remained married until her death in August 2025 .
Q: What songs did The Brothers Four record?
The group is best known for the 1960 hit “Greenfields,” which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. They also recorded “The Green Leaves of Summer,” “Frogg,” and “Blue Water Line,” among others .
Q: How did Bob Flick become a journalist?
After graduating from the University of Washington, Bob Flick worked as a reporter for City News Service in Los Angeles in 1958. He moved to KNXT as a news producer-writer in the 1960s and then to NBC News in the 1970s .
Q: Did Bob Flick win an Emmy?
Bob Flick was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1987 for Outstanding Informational Series for his work on Entertainment Tonight .
