Classic theme songs and Ad logos
 

Hey guys. I don't think I have ever posted in this forum, but how are y'all doing? More of a music guy myself, but I have a special place for 70s and 80s era TV theme songs and also, closing sequences. I particularly like the production companies' logos which come on right after the closing credits. (Paramount, DIC, the Program Exchange, Turner, Sony, NBC, etc etc etc)

Not sure if I'm allowed to post youtube links here but there are some amazing ones out there if anyone is interested.

Yeah, I've got some time on my hands :D:yes:

I recently picked NOS vinyl of the "Mannix" soundtrack, and it kicks ass! Lalo Schiffrin composed and conducts the orchestra, and the music is just as good as I remember from watching the show Saturdays at 10pm with my dad way back when.

I'm more of a 60s guy. Here are openings from two classic suspense shows:

1) The orginal half hour Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Where his shadow fills in a charicature drawing. It made Gounod's Funeral March of a Marionette famous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8kuw...eature=related


2) The Twilight Zone opening. It was the second season theme by Marius Constant, played over Rod Serling's monologue that's best remembered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y

the NBC Sunday Night Mystery, with the flashlight guy and the whistle score. awesome.

Hawaii Five-0, Peter Gunn, Avengers, Route 66...aahhhhh

I thought Secret Agent Man was the coolest TV theme ever - still love that song.

Re. logos: On a trip to Phoenix, I was told that the old Paramount Pictures logo was based on Squaw Peak (or whatever its politically correct name is now.) Anyone know if this is true?


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...tLogo1930s.JPG




http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/15...ak-Phoenix.jpg

always thought the "Mark Vll Limited" logo was kinda cool, with it's firing squad drum roll

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RQ7-ZH0Szo

Hey, speaking of Secret Agent Man: I just started playing acoustic guitar for the first time in 7 years and one of the first 'riffs' I HAD TO play was Secret Angent Man. Great song, and it's a piece of cake to learn the basic song on the git) Funny coincidence!

I should note that most of my favorites come from the late 70s or early 80s.

I've always loved TV theme music. Some of it has been composed by big names. Did you know the NBC News "Mission Theme" was written by John Williams? I have most of the TV theme music CD collection, and have amazed my friends by the number of these tunes I can dredge up. I myself have found 'The Untouchables' and '77 Sunset Strip....snap, snap...' on vinyl in thrifts.

How about Angela, the them from Taxi? Written by Bob James. One of my favorites.

I am a HUGE fan of noth TV themes and production logos. I have about 5 CDs full of themes, along with a few records. Recently, I picked up an RSO 45 of "Fame" by Irene Cara; it was the theme for the movie, I believe, and an edited version was used for the show.


As for my favorite theme? The long-lost "James at 15" theme by none other than England Dan & John Ford Coley.

I will take the geek route. I really liked the theme to Space 1999.

How about the Twilight Zone, even though it wasn't as much of a song as some, and was rather an untraditional plot explanation unique to each episode instead.

Top Cat
The Jetsons
The Patty Duke Show
American Bandstand
Combat
Just about every 50's tv western
Castro Convertibles (in the New York area)
Robert Hall Clothes
Buster Brown Shoes
The Little Rascals Theme Song
The music that opened and closed The 3 Stooges shorts.

There are literally thousands of these you know.