Sobell's father George Friedrich Fischer (c. 1822 or 1828 – 9 February 1882) emigrated to South Australia aboard the ship Louise, arriving 26 March 1849, and was soon involved in the city's musical scene, performing with Frederick and Albert Seyler, who arrived aboard Alfred in December 1848. George was co-owner with Robert Wiener (died 1878) of a coffee bar on Rundle Street, where the Adelaide Liedertafel, was formed. Fischer and Wiener were often heard singing together, Fischer also on piano. After the coffee shop, Fischer and Wiener ran the Tanunda Hotel to 1870, then Fischer had the National Hotel on Pirie Street 1871–72, the Hamburg (later Oriental) on the Gawler Place/Rundle Street corner 1872–73, and the Pier Hotel, Glenelg 1873–74. Destitute, he then left for Melbourne, where he died at the Hobsons Bay railway station, following a fall.
