Robert Maurice Malone (born as Meloon on December 2, 1965) is an American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter. He has toured extensively as a solo artist as well as with former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty, and has recorded with such artists as Fogerty, Ringo Starr, and Avril Lavigne. His version of "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" was used in the promotion of the 2018 film The Grinch. Early life Malone was born in Irvington, New Jersey, and grew up in Milton, Jefferson Township, New Jersey, after being adopted in 1966. He began playing piano at age 9 and, as a teenager, studied with Ashley Miller, best known for his recordings as the house organist at Radio City Music Hall. At 14, he was drawn to rock and roll after hearing Billy Joel’s ‘’Scenes from an Italian Restaurant’’ and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Malone played bassoon in the school orchestra and, while still in middle school, taught himself to play tuba, eventually performing with the high school marching band. He formed his first band, High Altitude, in his sophomore year of high school, along with friend Paul (Buzz) Burrowes. After graduating from Jefferson Township High School, he and Burrowes moved to Boston in 1984 to attend Berklee College of Music. They continued to play gigs in New Jersey, flying home every weekend. In 1986, Malone was the winner of the Berklee Singer/Songwriter Showcase. While still at Berklee, Malone formed the band Bob Meloon and the Big Argument with fellow Berklee classmates Phil Antoniades (who later went on to start the company Nimbit) and Gene Shimosato. Starting with a 1987 debut show at The Channel in Boston, the band developed a following in the city's rock scene and toured the New England rock-club circuit. The band was noted in the press for having a multi-racial, multinational makeup. Their 1988 release, First Flash of Success, was favorably received by critics and received airplay around New England. Songs from the CD won the KISS 108 FM Local Music Spotlight twice and received airplay on Boston rock station WBCN. Career 1989-1990 In 1989, Bob Meloon & the Big Argument was invited to play the song "Nobody’s Child," which Malone wrote based on his experience being adopted, at the Massachusetts State House for then-governor Michael Dukakis and members of the state legislature for a ceremony commemorating State Adoption Week. One