Bruce Arnold, a Novato resident best known as the principal songwriter and vocalist of soft-rock band Orpheus, has died at age 76.
Mr. Arnold, who was also an ordained minister, died this month among his family and friends, his family said. They did not provide the cause of death or the date.
His wife, supervisor Judy Arnold, 82, called her husband an “extraordinary soul”.
“He received and passed on countless blessings throughout his life and his love for his family and friends was inspiring,” she said. “Although he made the transition to be with his Heavenly Father, his beautiful voice will live on through the music he created.”
One son, John Mark Arnold of Los Angeles, said he was “very proud of what my father has accomplished in his life”.
“Everything he has created continues to amaze me and I am honored to carry on his legacy,” Arnold, 47, said.
Mr. Arnold was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, the youngest son of Lester Raymond Arnold and Ula Scribner Hanny. He developed a deep love of music at a young age and began performing professionally with his folk group, the Villagers, before graduating from classical high school in 1964.
Mr. Arnold founded Orpheus in 1967. Between 1968 and 1971 the group recorded four albums and six singles for MGM and Bell Records. His songs included the hit single “Can’t Find The Time” from his self-titled debut, which peaked at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.
The band became a successful pop attraction performing with many of the era’s top artists including The Who, Cream, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Lovin’ Spoonful and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
“We were right in the middle of that,” Mr. Arnold said in an interview with the Marin Independent Journal in 2012. “But Orpheus didn’t sound like the music made by hip bands. We were off on our own tangent.
One band member, bassist Howie Hersch, recalled first meeting Mr. Arnold in 1969 after a show at the University of Massachusetts. Hersch said he was so fascinated by the music that after the show he picked up a guitar and started playing chords to the songs.
Mr. Arnold walked by and asked, “How do you know all the chords?”
“I have good ears,” said Hersch, then 19 and soon to be a band member.
Mr Arnold moved to Marin County in 1972 and married in 1974. John Mark Arnold said his father often remembered leaving Massachusetts in his Volkswagen bus during a blizzard and “coming to Marin just in time to see the buds on the trees”.
“Dad often talked, that’s when he said to himself: ‘Where have I lived all this time?'”, he says.
“He first loved Marin for its climate,” he said. “The fact that it was also home to like-minded artists and musicians was the icing on the cake. Whether it was spreading the gospel, working on his music, creating new car models, or supporting my mother in her career politics, he has always been passionate.
Ken Philpott, founder of the Open Door Church in San Rafael, said Mr Arnold was ordained in his church. They first met at All Saints Episcopal Church in Corte Madera, and Philpott recalled that Mr. Arnold was very driven by his faith.
Mr. Arnold served as the pastor of a Church of the Open Door congregation in Point Reyes Station from 1975 to 1987.
“Despite tough times in both of our lives, Bruce stayed strong,” Philpott said. “He remained a friend and whenever we met, we were always happy to see each other again.”
Mr. Arnold counted many celebrities and musicians among his friends. Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris said Mr. Arnold left the world a legacy of wonderful music.
“His God-given talents in writing, singing and playing guitar were matched only by his ability to spread the gospel of Christ,” Norris said. “We will cherish our memories and know that his loving family will carry on his music and his message.”
In his later years, Mr. Arnold recorded solo records and also reunited the former band.
“Can’t Find the Time” found further success after a Hootie & the Blowfish cover appeared in the 2000 comedy film “Me, Myself & Irene,” starring Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger.
At the time of his death, the band –– consisting of John Mark Arnold, Hersh, drummer Bernard Purdie, keyboardist Elliot Sherman and trumpeter Tiger Okoshi –– was finishing its first album in more than 50 years at Skywalker Ranch. Updates for new registrations are forthcoming, the family said.
Besides Judy Arnold and John Mark Arnold, Mr. Arnold is survived by his sons Oliver Arnold and Gray Ainsworth; his daughter Erin Fish; his brother Les Arnold Jr.; and an extended family. The family has not announced plans for a memorial service.