![]() Though perhaps best known for The Andy Griffith Show, Earle Hagen wrote memorable opening themes for a number of other television shows, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., The Mod Squad, That Girl, and Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer. At one point in his busy career, Earle Hagen worked on as many as six different television shows at one time. Television production superstars Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard depended on Earle Hagen to create original and distinctive music for their shows. Memoirs of a Famous Composer-Nobody Ever Heard Of by Earle Hagen Advanced Techniques for Film Scoring: Book and CD by Earle Hagen Composer Earle HagenĮarle Hagen jokingly referred to himself as “a famous composer nobody ever heard of,” but that was hardly the case. With that in mind, it took me about an hour to write the Andy Griffith theme. While sitting at home wracking my brain for an idea for a theme for the Griffith show, it finally occurred to me that it should be something simple, something you could whistle. The concept was a winner! Sheldon Leonard loved the theme and suggested the now famous (and much parodied) opening sequence where Andy and Opie Taylor walk along a country road with their fishing poles. The idea was presented to the show’s executive producer, Sheldon Leonard, the following morning. The composer ultimately decided to create something simple, something that could be whistled.Ī demo of the show’s opening theme was recorded, with Earle Hagen whistling the tune and his 11-year-old son Deane snapping his fingers. However, creating a theme song for The Andy Griffith Show proved somewhat challenging. As a composer, Earle Hagen was a master at capturing the tone of each show he worked on. Until Earle Hagen’s passing in 2008, very few fans of The Andy Griffith Show realized it was the composer himself who whistled the famous tune at the top of each episode. The theme song, called “The Fishin’ Hole,” is unquestionably one of the most recognizable tunes of all time. ![]() The legendary Earle Hagen composed music for over 3,000 television series episodes during his long career, and will surely be remembered for the theme from The Andy Griffith Show. The Andy Griffith Show Theme Song Composer The Andy Griffith Show Poster Composer Earle Hagen Spencerīut don’t you rush away … Starring Andy Griffith as Sheriff Taylor He was 86 years old.Composed by: Earle Hagen & Herbert W. He died at his home on Roanoke Island in North Carolina on July 3, 2012. Griffith returned to the recording studio in the '90s to record a number of popular religious and seasonal albums. He had one charting single in 1955, "Make Yourself Comfortable," on Capitol Records, which reached number 26 in the U.S. Griffith’s recording career was not nearly as celebrated as his acting, yet he did record a number of albums and singles (in addition to comedy records and soundtracks from his television shows). In the late '80s, Griffith starred in a successful program titled Matlock, in which he played a lawyer. The show ran until 1968 and spun off a sequel titled Mayberry R.F.D. He made his move to television in 1960 with The Andy Griffith Show, which also starred Don Knotts and child actor Ron Howard, who would go on to fame as a director as an adult. ![]() His most acclaimed film role was in 1957's A Face in the Crowd. With his Southern drawl, Griffith easily landed roles requiring a Southerner, and he starred in the 1955 Broadway production of No Time for Sergeants. He attended the University of North Carolina where he studied to be a preacher, but switched his interests to pursue drama and music. Andy Griffith was an actor best known for the '60s comedy show that was named after him. Andrew Samuel Griffith was born on Jin Mount Airy, North Carolina. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |