Firesign Theatre's Phil Austin Dies

Phil Austin, 74, the founding member of the Firesign Theatre who created and voiced detective Nick Danger, died of cardiac arrest in Fox Island, Wash., June 19.

The group primarily earned its popularity through more than a dozen albums. Nick Danger appeared on the B side of Firesign’s 1969 breakthrough album, How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You’re Not Anywhere at All.

The group was popular in the 1960s and 1970s until it faded from the scene. It retained a cult following that inspired occasional live shows. Firesign’s last appearance was at the 2012 memorial for founding member Peter Bergman.