Growing Up
Fischer was born in 1924, in Durand, Michigan. His mother, Luella Blanche Roussin (maiden), was of French descent, and his father, Cecil Harold Fischer, was of German descent. Both were born in Canada at the turn of the 20th century. Fischer was the oldest of four children, the three oldest being boys, Clare being the third, and the youngest being a sister. His mother played piano, his father played banjo, and his uncle played C melody saxophone. There was always music in his house.
Fischer began playing the trumpet at age 13 and "picked-up" the saxophone the following year. His mother nicknamed him "Dirk" when he was 13, and later, while playing in territory bands, friends endearingly called him "Dirty Dirk."
Fischer graduated from South High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Just before being drafted into the Army, Fischer and three friends formed a quartet called the Aristocats, who played at Club Cherrio in Muskegon, MI. Rich Henry (alto), Fischer (trumpet), Hamilton Allen (piano) (and namesake of a later Fischer composition), Mike Balish (drums). Rich later played with Buddy Morrow and Les Elgart.
Read more about this topic: Stewart "Dirk" Fischer
Famous quotes related to growing up:
“The ‘universal moments’ of child rearing are in fact nothing less than a confrontation with the most basic problems of living in society: a facing through one’s children of all the conflicts inherent in human relationships, a clarification of issues that were unresolved in one’s own growing up. The experience of child rearing not only can strengthen one as an individual but also presents the opportunity to shape human relationships of the future.”
—Elaine Heffner (20th century)