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ScoreKeeper Says Goodbye To STAR TREK Composer Alexander Courage...


ScoreKeeper here with news regarding the silencing of yet another monster musical talent in the film and television world.

The man who penned the original theme from STAR TREK (1965) is no longer with us. Alexander Courage will be remembered for a large body of great film and television music. However, none can rival the iconic fanfare associated with the cultural phenomenon known as STAR TREK. Buried deep in a legacy of great film and television music spanning four decades lies Courage’s original theme that started it all.

Alexander Courage passed away on May 15, 2008, in Pacific Palisades, California.

Courage has composed scores for such films as THE LEFT HANDED GUN (1958), THE PLEASURE SEEKERS (1964), and SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987) as well as volumes of episodic television scores for a variety of series including VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA (1964-1966), LOST IN SPACE (1966-1968), STAR TREK (1966-1969), LAND OF THE GIANTS (1969), and THE WALTONS (1972-1981).

In addition to a successful composing career, Courage was also a highly prized orchestrator and arranger who worked for many great composers including Jerome Moross, Johnny Green, Alex North, John Williams, and most notably Jerry Goldsmith. He served as Goldsmith’s principal orchestrator throughout the 1980’s and 90’s for many of his classic scores including STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979), BABY: SECRET OF THE LOST LEGEND (1985), LEGEND (1985), BASIC INSTINCT (1992), RUDY (1993), FIRST KNIGHT (1995), L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997), AIR FORCE ONE (1997), and HOLLOW MAN (2000), just to name a few.

There are few composers who can claim to have written a theme so iconic it transcends its film and engrains itself in our culture. John Williams’ shark theme from JAWS (1975) and Bernard Herrmann’s macabre shower sequence from PSYCHO (1960) are two such examples. I think Alexander Courage’s theme from the original STAR TREK is a member of that exclusive club.

On behalf of Ain’t It Cool News I’d like to express our deepest condolences to the Courage family. He may no longer be with us in person but his spirit will endure forever through the wonderful music he left behind.

For more information on the Alexander Courage’s legacy click HERE.



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first
by kamar
May 28th, 2008
06:20:20 PM
The music from Star Trek was incredible, iconic
by Hercules
May 28th, 2008
06:23:04 PM
RIP
by SpencerTrilby
May 28th, 2008
06:24:16 PM
not really
by tsfogg
May 28th, 2008
06:26:27 PM
Wow
by stuatfunnyordie
May 28th, 2008
06:27:26 PM
you have to say it
by hesky75
May 28th, 2008
06:31:05 PM
Goodbye Mr. Courage...
by Bones
May 28th, 2008
06:49:07 PM
Totally agree with Bones...
by LordPorkington
May 28th, 2008
06:54:23 PM
Fantastic work, rest in peace
by Heckles
May 28th, 2008
06:57:27 PM
Godspeed good Sir
by rectalscan
May 28th, 2008
07:01:43 PM
I Shall Mourn
by Tremane
May 28th, 2008
07:02:49 PM
Well this sucks
by DarthJedi
May 28th, 2008
07:03:14 PM
DAMN . . .
by SkidMarkedUndies
May 28th, 2008
07:04:35 PM
May 15?
by kentrel
May 28th, 2008
07:04:42 PM
Off to the final frontier
by Mace Tofu
May 28th, 2008
07:06:34 PM
earliest memories are of his Trek theme
by Sir Loin
May 28th, 2008
07:08:04 PM
tsfogg it's ok...
by RockMSockM
May 28th, 2008
07:08:50 PM
tsfogg
by RockMSockM
May 28th, 2008
07:10:14 PM
tsfogg
by RockMSockM
May 28th, 2008
07:10:28 PM
Fucking sad a real talent!!
by picardsucks
May 28th, 2008
07:10:30 PM
Paragon Complex
by kentrel
May 28th, 2008
07:11:09 PM
... watching Trek... Re: two weeks
by Mace Tofu
May 28th, 2008
07:11:44 PM
RIP
by photoboy
May 28th, 2008
07:14:07 PM
lol
by Barricade
May 28th, 2008
07:16:37 PM
RIP
by PowerRing
May 28th, 2008
07:22:17 PM
I remember seeing Star Trek II for the first time
by Manos
May 28th, 2008
07:34:24 PM
Extremely sad about this.
by deathstar73
May 28th, 2008
07:35:15 PM
Couple of days ago, composer Earle Hagen just died too
by Pizza The Hut
May 28th, 2008
07:35:21 PM
Those old TV show themes were great...
by wonderllama
May 28th, 2008
07:41:04 PM
His music has been with me . . .
by TommyShag
May 28th, 2008
07:58:35 PM
Spock bass music and fight music....
by CerebralAssassin
May 28th, 2008
07:59:00 PM
Very sad
by rutgerman
May 28th, 2008
08:02:00 PM
think in 30 years anyone will be humming the theme from lost?
by bacci40
May 28th, 2008
08:05:30 PM
Thank you Mr. Courage.
by TurboPervo
May 28th, 2008
08:08:13 PM
To be honest...
by Darkman
May 28th, 2008
08:29:45 PM
May a true talent Rest In Peace...
by Big Dumb Ape
May 28th, 2008
08:37:17 PM
1960's Star Trek, please meet 2008's Doctor Who
by Big Dumb Ape
May 28th, 2008
08:43:33 PM
Fudge....
by Annie The Pod Racer
May 28th, 2008
08:47:53 PM
Tastes vary
by The StarWolf
May 28th, 2008
08:56:54 PM
yep very sad loss. Iconic unforgettable music
by G100
May 28th, 2008
08:59:17 PM
oops! still the Theme was the show
by G100
May 28th, 2008
09:04:37 PM
Go Boldly...
by Alen Smithee
May 28th, 2008
09:16:45 PM
The passing of a legend....
by closeencounter
May 28th, 2008
09:22:35 PM
Nuckedthefridge.com
by THENIPPLESOFGOD
May 28th, 2008
09:37:21 PM
A Star Trek director died recently
by Ricky Retardo
May 28th, 2008
09:50:49 PM
thank you sir
by Mr_X
May 28th, 2008
10:01:17 PM
Star trek movie definatly nucked the fridge!
by THENIPPLESOFGOD
May 28th, 2008
10:22:46 PM
I will forever think of space with a latin beat.
by Christopher3
May 28th, 2008
10:39:07 PM
Thank-you Maestro Courage
by gengrievous82
May 28th, 2008
10:54:42 PM
He gave voice to a dream.
by robogeek.com
May 28th, 2008
11:17:20 PM
WHAT AN A HOLE POSTING "FIRST!"
by eoneon
May 28th, 2008
11:27:16 PM
A shame.
by Nasty In The Pasty
May 28th, 2008
11:47:37 PM
Damn.
by smallerdemon
May 29th, 2008
12:10:40 AM
another legend leaves us
by Gabba-UK
May 29th, 2008
02:10:51 AM
REST IN PEACE! THANKS FOR ALL DREAMS
by brando76
May 29th, 2008
03:39:25 AM
Eloquently put, brando76.
by RobinP
May 29th, 2008
04:48:00 AM
The Star Trek theme
by kwisatzhaderach
May 29th, 2008
04:53:55 AM
Robogeek...
by Blanket-Man
May 29th, 2008
07:00:05 AM
ricarleite
by Come_ON
May 29th, 2008
08:36:19 AM
:(
by ManosTHOF
May 29th, 2008
08:54:47 AM
Call it Courage
by m2298
May 29th, 2008
08:55:24 AM
Sad to hear
by tylermo
May 29th, 2008
09:10:35 AM
corrections and added stuff
by tylermo
May 29th, 2008
09:32:49 AM
As the first sci-fi show that I ever loved
by toadkillerdog
May 29th, 2008
10:00:21 AM
Nice RIP , Now how about one for Sidney Pollack???
by jtp8000
May 29th, 2008
10:07:31 AM
Sorry LordPorkington
by kamar
May 29th, 2008
12:57:40 PM
John Williams, James Horner, Danny Elfman, Michael Giacchino...
by ccchhhrrriiisssm
May 29th, 2008
02:05:10 PM
Joseph Pevney, Havey Korman R.I.P.
by PowerRing
May 29th, 2008
07:30:18 PM
Oh, man...
by Teddy Artery
May 29th, 2008
09:21:01 PM
Thats a shame
by proper
May 29th, 2008
10:19:33 PM
But is he on your MP3 Player?
by Kentucky Colonel
May 30th, 2008
01:24:52 PM
Kentucky Colonel
by proper
May 30th, 2008
06:54:17 PM

by theJackalope
May 30th, 2008
09:47:56 PM

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