Watercooler Wednesday - A Great Composer You’ve Never Heard Of
From FoxNews.com today, the death of Earle Hagen at 88 years old.
“Earle who?” you may ask…
Oh, you’ve heard him. You’ve probably just never heard of him.
Think of the most famous whistled melody you’ve ever heard.
Yep.
Earle wrote the theme for The Andy Griffith Show. And yes, he’s the one whistling it on the recording. (links for iTunes where available)
Those of you my age would also recognize his other masterpieces of the small screen: “The Mod Squad“, “I Spy“, “That Girl”, “The Dick Van Dyke Show“, “Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.”, “Make Room For Daddy”.
He also wrote the jazz classic “Harlem Nocturne“.
Here’s a great quote from Hagen from a speech to the American Society Of Music Arrangers & Composers in 2000:
“It was hard work, with long hours and endless deadlines, but being able to write something one day and hear it a few days later appealed to me. Besides, I was addicted to the ultimate narcosis in music, which is the rush you get when you give a downbeat and wonderful players breathe life into the notes you have put on paper.”
Any of you who are composers know that narcosis…
So rest in peace, Earle. Thanks for the tunes.
And, just for discussion…what’s your favorite masterpiece of the TV screen?
(This post is part of Watercooler Wednesday, hosted by Ethos)
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Comments
Good question - I’m thinking something from my childhood like “Bewitched” or “I Dream Of Jeannie” - simple, memorable, melodic - I think those were written by Ted Nichols, not sure anymore though. Also especially love the theme from Hawaii 5-0, I think it was by The Ventures?
Upstairs Downstairs, followed closely by Winds of War/War and Remembrance, Alistair Cooke’s America and any episode of Firing Line.
I think it could be the Gilligan’s Island Theme song. A masterpiece indeed.