ANDY GRIFFITH - TV THEME COMPOSER HAGEN DIES AT AGE 88

Earle Hagen, who wrote theme music for television shows during an era when such themes defined the shows and could be hummed by their fans, died Monday in Rancho Mirage, CA at age 88. He composed the theme for The Andy Griffith Show -- and whistled it on the sound track -- as well as the themes for I Spy (for which he won his first Emmy), The Dick Van Dyke Show, That Girl, Gomer Pyle, and The Mod Squad. In its obituary, the Associated Press quoted him as having once said, "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."

28/05/2008