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Edward John “Ed” Farran

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Edward John “Ed” Farran

Birth
Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, USA
Death
2 Jan 2003 (aged 65)
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Burial Details Unknown Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Edward J. Farran, aged 65, native of Grand Rapids, passed away from complications due to a kidney failure. Well-known singing instructor and 2nd tenor in "The Arbors", a male vocal quartet since the late 60's. Ed earned his BS in zoology and biology and MA in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Michigan. Primitive wilderness survivalist, member of Explorer's Club, Collector of Egyptian artifacts and Indian arrowheads. Cherished identical brother of Frederick J.; beloved brother of Diana Jean of Grand Rapids; son of the late Linda (nee Jonkman) native of Grand Rapids and John Elias native of Beirut, Lebanon. Treasured by a multitude of friends and considered a living angel. Memorial service pending. In lieu of flowers or gifts, be nice to each other! Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058.

I personally saw the group Arbors as they performed May 24, 1982 in Marco Island, FL. I bought their album titled Arbors and they all signed it. Ed circled the song "There Will Be Times" which he arranged and sang. It's very beautiful. I've never heard the song on the internet. I feel blessed to have it on the album. I don't know how many times I have said to others "There will be times". Thanks! Don.

Edward J. Farran, 65 Singer Was Member Of The Arbors

Edward J. Farran, who trained legions of Chicago, Illinois, singers and was part of the popular musical group the Arbors in the 1960s and 1970s, died of complications due to kidney failure Thursday, January 2, 2003, in his brother's Chicago home, at the age of 65.

With his identical twin brother, Fred, and brothers Tom and Scott Herrick, Mr. Farran and the Arbors had a long run of success, including several hit singles, during a career that began almost as a lark.

"We thought it'd last three or four years, we'd have a few hit records and then we'd get serious about life," said Tom Herrick. "It's been an amazing run. But when you lose one guy, it comes to a crushing halt."

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Farran brothers' mother was a piano teacher who was criticized in her hometown when she married their father, a Lebanese-born tailor and furrier.

"Because she had been the victim of prejudice, because of her marriage, she was very accepting and passed that on to all of us," said Mr. Farran's younger sister, Diana.

After their father died when they were 13, the boys put much of their energy into music, winning their first singing contest in 7th grade.

Paying their own way into the University of Michigan, the Farran brothers sang in glee clubs. Mr. Farran received a degree in zoology and biology, and his brother got a degree in aeronautical engineering.

But after singing with the Herrick brothers, the four decided to try to make music their career, styling themselves after the popular group the
Four Freshmen.

Their first big break came with a gig on a WBBM radio show, which brought them to Chicago 40 years ago.

A few years after moving to Chicago, Mr. Farran decided to live separately from his twin.

"Brother felt the need and desire to stretch out and become an individual 'I' instead of the 'we' that we were all the time," said Fred Farran, the older brother by eight minutes.

The Arbors branched out to club dates, building a following that grew with hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s that included "Symphony for Susan," which rose to No. 29 on the Billboard charts, and "The Letter," which hit No. 17.

They performed around the world with Dinah Shore and Roger Williams and appeared on television on the "Tonight" show and "The Ed Sullivan Show." They had their own 10-part PBS series.

But singing for hundreds of commercials paid the bills over the years, said Tom Herrick, everything from the Jolly Green Giant to McDonald's to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Both Farrans also became well-known for giving voice lessons, with Mr. Farran teaching everyone from opera students to punk rockers, his sister
said.

Students appreciated Mr. Farran's positive attitude, something that his brother decided to carry on after his death.

In his official obituary notice, Fred Farran asked people to "be nice to each other!" instead of giving flowers.

"That's a sentiment we both appreciated," Fred Farran said.

Chicago Tribune

Find A Grave information for Scott Herrick

Paul "Scott" Herrick
BIRTH 1937
East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan, USA
DEATH 7 Nov 2018 (aged 80–81)
Ajijic, Chapala Municipality, Jalisco, Mexico
BURIAL Burial Details Unknown
MEMORIAL ID 234446151
Edward J. Farran, aged 65, native of Grand Rapids, passed away from complications due to a kidney failure. Well-known singing instructor and 2nd tenor in "The Arbors", a male vocal quartet since the late 60's. Ed earned his BS in zoology and biology and MA in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Michigan. Primitive wilderness survivalist, member of Explorer's Club, Collector of Egyptian artifacts and Indian arrowheads. Cherished identical brother of Frederick J.; beloved brother of Diana Jean of Grand Rapids; son of the late Linda (nee Jonkman) native of Grand Rapids and John Elias native of Beirut, Lebanon. Treasured by a multitude of friends and considered a living angel. Memorial service pending. In lieu of flowers or gifts, be nice to each other! Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058.

I personally saw the group Arbors as they performed May 24, 1982 in Marco Island, FL. I bought their album titled Arbors and they all signed it. Ed circled the song "There Will Be Times" which he arranged and sang. It's very beautiful. I've never heard the song on the internet. I feel blessed to have it on the album. I don't know how many times I have said to others "There will be times". Thanks! Don.

Edward J. Farran, 65 Singer Was Member Of The Arbors

Edward J. Farran, who trained legions of Chicago, Illinois, singers and was part of the popular musical group the Arbors in the 1960s and 1970s, died of complications due to kidney failure Thursday, January 2, 2003, in his brother's Chicago home, at the age of 65.

With his identical twin brother, Fred, and brothers Tom and Scott Herrick, Mr. Farran and the Arbors had a long run of success, including several hit singles, during a career that began almost as a lark.

"We thought it'd last three or four years, we'd have a few hit records and then we'd get serious about life," said Tom Herrick. "It's been an amazing run. But when you lose one guy, it comes to a crushing halt."

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Farran brothers' mother was a piano teacher who was criticized in her hometown when she married their father, a Lebanese-born tailor and furrier.

"Because she had been the victim of prejudice, because of her marriage, she was very accepting and passed that on to all of us," said Mr. Farran's younger sister, Diana.

After their father died when they were 13, the boys put much of their energy into music, winning their first singing contest in 7th grade.

Paying their own way into the University of Michigan, the Farran brothers sang in glee clubs. Mr. Farran received a degree in zoology and biology, and his brother got a degree in aeronautical engineering.

But after singing with the Herrick brothers, the four decided to try to make music their career, styling themselves after the popular group the
Four Freshmen.

Their first big break came with a gig on a WBBM radio show, which brought them to Chicago 40 years ago.

A few years after moving to Chicago, Mr. Farran decided to live separately from his twin.

"Brother felt the need and desire to stretch out and become an individual 'I' instead of the 'we' that we were all the time," said Fred Farran, the older brother by eight minutes.

The Arbors branched out to club dates, building a following that grew with hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s that included "Symphony for Susan," which rose to No. 29 on the Billboard charts, and "The Letter," which hit No. 17.

They performed around the world with Dinah Shore and Roger Williams and appeared on television on the "Tonight" show and "The Ed Sullivan Show." They had their own 10-part PBS series.

But singing for hundreds of commercials paid the bills over the years, said Tom Herrick, everything from the Jolly Green Giant to McDonald's to Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Both Farrans also became well-known for giving voice lessons, with Mr. Farran teaching everyone from opera students to punk rockers, his sister
said.

Students appreciated Mr. Farran's positive attitude, something that his brother decided to carry on after his death.

In his official obituary notice, Fred Farran asked people to "be nice to each other!" instead of giving flowers.

"That's a sentiment we both appreciated," Fred Farran said.

Chicago Tribune

Find A Grave information for Scott Herrick

Paul "Scott" Herrick
BIRTH 1937
East Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan, USA
DEATH 7 Nov 2018 (aged 80–81)
Ajijic, Chapala Municipality, Jalisco, Mexico
BURIAL Burial Details Unknown
MEMORIAL ID 234446151


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