Died On This Date (June 23, 2010) Allyn Ferguson / Wrote Several TV Theme Songs
themusicsover Allyn Ferguson
October 18, 1924 – June 23, 2010
Allyn Ferguson was an American pianist and composer, best remembered for his iconic ’70s TV theme songs. Mostly collaborating with Jack Elliott, Ferguson created the theme songs for such popular shows as Barney Miller and Charlie’s Angels as well as episode music for Starsky and Hutch, The Rookies, S.W.A.T., and many more. In 1985, he won an Emmy for his contributions to the TV film, Camille. Over the course of his career, Ferguson also served as musical director for Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Julie Andrews, Johnny Mathis, as well as for the American Music Awards, The Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award broadcasts. Allyn Ferguson was 85 when he passed away on June 23, 2010.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
Esbjorn Svensson was a contemporary Swedish jazz pianist and leader of his own Esbjorn Svensson Trio, or E.S.T. Svensson was born into a musical family, to a classical pianist mother and a jazz loving father. A rock fan, Svensson first took a stab a playing in a couple of garage bands before settling into a life of jazz. By 16 he was taking lessons at a music college before studying at Stockholm University. He formed the E.S.T in 1993 and soon recorded their first album. Their fan base continued to grow, and by 1999 they were on the international stage thanks to their breakthrough album, From Gagarin’s Point Of View. In May of 2006, E.S.T. became the first European jazz combo to grace the cover of America’s DownBeat Magazine. Tragedy struck on June 14, 2008 when after vanishing during a scuba diving excursion outside of Stockholm, his friends found him unconscious on the seabed. He later died at a hospital from injuries he sustained during the mishap.
Henry Mancini was a Grammy and Academy Award winning pianist, composer and conductor who was best known for his iconic Pink Panther theme and “Moon River” from Breakfast At Tiffany’s. One of Mancini’s first gigs was as pianist and arranger for the 1946 version of the 