The Highwaymen (folk band)

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For other musical groups of the same name, see The Highwaymen

The Highwaymen were a circa 1960 "collegiate folk" group, which originated at Wesleyan University and had a number-one hit in 1961 with "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" and another top-20 hit in 1962 with "Cottonfields". The original members were David Fisher, Steve Trott, Chan Daniels, Steve Butts and Bob Burnett. Later members were Gil Robbins (father of actor Tim Robbins) and classical guitarist, Johann Helton. As of 2004, all but Daniels are still alive. They have played reunion gigs as recently as 2006. 10 albums have been recorded to date.

In 1964, with David Fisher as musical director, The Highwaymen continued for another three years with Renny Temple, Roy Connors, Mose Henry and Allan Shaw. They recorded two albums and performed countless concert dates and television shows. Renny Temple, Roy Connors and Mose Henry were already a popular Florida folk group called The Vikings Three. Their act and music was the basis for The Highwaymen's new act.

Steve Trott later attended Harvard Law School and became a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office. Later, he served in the Reagan Justice Department and was appointed a judge of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1987.