Zach Sobiech facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zach Sobiech
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Zachary David Sobiech |
| Born | May 3, 1995 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | May 20, 2013 (aged 18) Lakeland, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Genres | Folk rock, indie folk, indie pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2009-2013 |
| Associated acts | A Firm Handshake |
Zachary David Sobiech (May 3, 1995 – May 20, 2013) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was from Lakeland, Minnesota. Zach was part of a band called A Firm Handshake. His song "Clouds" became very popular on YouTube before he passed away in May 2013. The song became a hit in many countries. Zach believed that in his final days, he should focus on making others happy.
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Zach's Life and Music Journey
Zachary went to St. Croix Catholic School and later Stillwater Area High School. When he was 14, Zach was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This is a type of bone cancer that often affects children. He had many surgeries and treatments. After his diagnosis, Zach started writing music.
In May 2012, doctors told Zach that he had about a year left to live. Zach decided to record a song called "Clouds" about his fight with cancer. He released it on YouTube in December 2012. The video quickly became very popular, getting millions of views. Today, it has been watched over 18 million times.
A Firm Handshake Band
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A Firm Handshake
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| Years active | 2012–2013 |
| Labels | Rock the Cause |
| Members | Sammy Brown Reed Redmond |
| Past members | Zach Sobiech |
Before he passed away, Zach formed a band called A Firm Handshake. He created the band with his friends Samantha "Sammy" Brown and Reed Redmond. Their first and only album, Fix Me Up, came out in early 2013. It was popular in the USA, UK, and Canada.
Zach's Passing
Zach Sobiech passed away on May 20, 2013. He was at his home in Lakeland, Minnesota. This was just 17 days after his 18th birthday. His death was due to complications from osteosarcoma. His funeral was held at the Catholic Church of St. Michael. He was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery.
Tributes and Legacy
Many people have honored Zach and his music.
Documentary Series
Rainn Wilson's YouTube channel, SoulPancake, made a documentary about Zach. It was directed by Justin Baldoni. This film was part of their online series called My Last Days. The episode, My Last Days: Meet Zach Sobiech, has been watched over 15.9 million times. Another episode was made later to check in with Zach's family and friends.
Musical Tributes
Many artists have recorded cover versions of Zach's song "Clouds." A special version was released on SoulPancake. It featured famous people like Bryan Cranston, Ashley Tisdale, Jason Mraz, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, Phillip Phillips, Passenger, and The Lumineers. This music video has been viewed over 5 million times.
Mall of America Event
On December 5, 2013, about 5,000 people gathered at the Mall of America. They all sang Zach's hit song "Clouds" together. This event was organized to support children's cancer research.
Book and Movie
Zach's mother, Laura Sobiech, wrote a book about his life. It is called Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom's Small Prayer in a Big Way.
In 2016, Warner Bros. announced they would make a movie based on Laura Sobiech's book. The movie is called Clouds, named after Zach's song. Justin Baldoni directed it. The film was released on Disney+ on October 16, 2020. It stars Fin Argus as Zach and Sabrina Carpenter as Sammy.
Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund
Zach's family created The Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund. This fund is part of the Children's Cancer Research Fund. By September 2015, Zach's fund had raised $2 million to help fight cancer.
Discography
Zach Sobiech released one extended play (EP) and several singles. His EP, Fix Me Up, was released in 2013. His most famous single is "Clouds".
See also
In Spanish: Zach Sobiech para niños
