Zach Sobiech
Background information
Birth nameZachary David Sobiech
Born(1995-05-03)May 3, 1995
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedMay 20, 2013(2013-05-20) (aged 18)
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
GenresFolk rock
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active2012–2013
This article includes, in addition to Zach Sobiech, coverage of the activities of the band A Firm Handshake

Zachary David "Zach" Sobiech (May 3, 1995 – May 20, 2013) was an American folk rock singer-songwriter from Stillwater, Minnesota, who was a member of the band A Firm Handshake. The single "Clouds" gained extensive media attention on YouTube, prior to Sobiech's death from cancer in May 2013.[2][3] It charted on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually becoming a hit also in UK, Canada and France.

Life and career

At age 14, Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer which mostly strikes children.[4] CBS reported that during his treatment he underwent 10 surgeries and 20 rounds of chemotherapy.[5] He started writing music after his diagnosis,[6].

In May 2012 his doctors informed him that he had up to a year to live.[7] Sobiech recorded the song "Clouds" about his battle with cancer,[8] and released it as a YouTube video in December 2012. It went viral, surpassing 3 million views at the time of his death,[9]

A Firm Handshake

A Firm Handshake
Years active2012-present
LabelsRock the Cause
MembersSammy Brown
Reed Redmond
Past membersZach Sobiech (2012 until his death in May 2013)

Prior to his death, Zach Sobiech formed the band A Firm Handshake with friends Samantha "Sammy" Brown and Reed Redmond.[2] A Firm Handshake's first album, Fix Me Up, was released digitally in early 2013,[10] charting in USA, UK and Canada. The debut single by A Firm Handshake is "How to Go to Confession" featuring Sammy Brown.

Death of Zach Sobiech

Sobiech died on May 20, 2013 of complications from osteosarcoma, at his home in Lakeland, an eastern suburb of Saint Paul, Minnesota, at age 18.[9][11] His funeral was held at the Catholic Church of St. Michael and he was later buried in St. Michael's Cemetery.[12]

Tributes

Rainn Wilson's YouTube channel SoulPancake released a documentary about Sobiech, directed by director-actor Justin Baldoni, a part of its online reality series, My Last Days.[6][13] The 22-minute episode of My Last Day on Zach Sobiech has been watched more than 11.4 million times on the main SoulPancake YouTube channel.[14]

Artists have released many tributes, notably cover versions of "Clouds", the most notable of which was released on SoulPancake,[15] featuring Rainn Wilson himself, along with Bryan Cranston, Ashley Tisdale, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, and others.[3]

Legacy

Sobiech's family established The Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund at Children's Cancer Research Fund.

Zach Sobiech discography

Single

Single Year Peak positions Album
US
[16] 		US
Rock
[16] 		CAN
[16] 		FR
 UK
[17] 		UK
Indie
[18]
"Clouds" 2013 26 3 14 26 50 8 From the A Firm Handshake album
Fix Me Up

A Firm Handshake Discography

Extended plays

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[19] 		US
Dig.
[19] 		US
Heat.
[19] 		US
Indie
[19] 		US
Rock
[19] 		CAN
[19] 		UK
[17] 		UK
Indie
[20]
Fix Me Up — — — — — — — —

Singles

Single Year Peak positions Album
US
[16] 		US
Rock
[16] 		CAN
[16] 		FR
 UK
[17] 		UK
Indie
[21]
"How to Go to Confession"
(featuring Sammy Brown) 		2013 — — — — — — TBA

References

  1. ^ http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2013/may/christian-teen-who-inspired-with-clouds-dies-of-cancer.html
  2. ^ a b "Zach Sobiech: Finding peace through music". childrenscancer.org.
  3. ^ a b "Zach Sobiech's 'Clouds' Headed For Hot 100 Debut". Billboard.com. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  4. ^ Boehm, Kristin (20 May 2013). "Zach Sobiech Dies at 18, Teen with Cancer Who Sang Viral Hit "Clouds"". People. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  5. ^ "MN Teen Whose Song Touched The World Dies Of Cancer". CBS. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Viral Video Sensation Zach Sobiech Dies". Fox2Now. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  7. ^ Stump, Scott (20 May 2013). "Teen behind viral hit 'Clouds' dies of bone cancer weeks after celeb-filled tribute video". Today. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Zach Sobiech, Terminally Ill Singer Who Channeled His Story Into 'Clouds', Dies at 18". Billboard.com. May 21, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Enayati, Amanda (May 20, 2013). "Teen featured in viral video dies". CNN. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  10. ^ "Lakeland teenager with rare cancer saying goodbye through song". Twin Cities. 2013-05-20. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  11. ^ "Zach Sobiech dies after his farewell song became a YouTube sensation". Christian Science Monitor. May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  12. ^ http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_23284467/zach-sobiechs-funeral-arrangements-set
  13. ^ Dyball, Renni. "Stars Serenade Zach Sobiech in Appreciation of His Brave Cancer Fight".
  14. ^ SoulPancake My Last Days series - Episode on Zach Sobiech
  15. ^ Hastings, Deborah (May 20, 2013). "Zach Sobiech, teen who wrote viral YouTube hit 'Clouds' about cancer, dies from it at 18". Daily News. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Still Atop Hot 100, Zach Sobiech Debuts
  17. ^ a b c Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK – 01/06/2013". zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved August 1, 2013. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  18. ^ "2013-06-01 Top 40 Independent Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "A Firm Handshake > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  20. ^ "2013-06-01 Top 40 Independent Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  21. ^ "2013-06-01 Top 40 Independent Singles Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2013.

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