Philip Balsam Dead at 79: 'Fraggle Rock' Songwriter Died of Health Issue?

"Fraggle Rock" songs composer Philip Balsam has died. He was 79.

Steeles Memorial Chapel's official website shared an article announcing the death of Balsam. The Canadian songwriter and composer famously expanded his music career outside the industry, creating pieces for several TV series and theatre plays.

But among the flicks he worked on, Balsam notably made 190 songs for the series, "Fraggle Rock."

Composer Philip Balsam Dead at 79

The memorial chapel delivered its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the "sweet and brilliantly talented" musician. It disclosed that Balsam passed away at his Toronto, Ontario home Friday while surrounded by his wife of 43 years and a few close friends.

The same press release did not disclose Philip Balsam's cause of death, but it noted that he passed away two years after he was diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis. The Steeles Memorial Chapel also revealed that his health quickly deteriorated in the last two weeks leading to his death.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, GCA may occur together with polymyalgia rheumatica, a condition that refers to pain and stiffness in different body parts, including the shoulder, hip, and neck. Older adults usually get diagnosed with it, and they suffer swelling and thickening of the arteries located on the head.

Fans and colleagues immediately paid tribute to the musician, sharing photos of him alongside heartfelt statements online.

Touch Pigs' Twitter page wrote, "We're saddened to learn that Philip Balsam - co-writer of Fraggle Rock songs including the theme song, "Follow Me", "Let Me Be Your Song", and dozens more - has passed away. Thanks for all the brilliant music, Phil."

"RIP Fraggle Rock Composer Philip Balsam," another wrote. "One of the greatest Muppet music composers of all time. :("

Those who want to offer donations may support the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center of Holocaust Studies instead.

The memorial chapel has been holding an in-person service, with the funeral scheduled on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. local time in Ontario. It also provided a link where fans could watch the service.

Philip Balsam's Legacy

Balsam and his family survived the second World War in Europe and moved to Canada where he lived the rest of his life.

He grew up as a flourishing music artist, becoming one of the world's renowned songwriters. When he started his professional career, Balsam began writing music and songs for adult and children's TV programs, including "Dog City" and "Groundling Marsh."

His big break came when he was tapped to work in Jim Henson's "Fraggle Rock." The record albums he made for the series led him to earn a nomination at the 27^th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Best Recording For Children.

Among Balsam's other feats include the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Musical for his work in Mordecai Richler's "Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang."