Cool News
ScoreKeeper Says Goodbye To Neal Hefti...
ScoreKeeper here with the kind of news I’m not fond of reporting. On October 11, 2008, American film composer, arranger, and trumpeter, Neal Hefti passed away suddenly at the age of 85.
A native of Hastings, Nebraska, Hefti had an amazingly diverse and prolific musical career which began composing and arranging for a variety of jazz legends including Woody Herman and Count Basie.
In the 1950s and 60s Hefti found his way to Hollywood where he penned scores for a variety of feature films including HOW TO MURDER YOUR WIFE (1965) and DUEL AT DIABLO (1966) which was recently released on CD by Film Score Monthly as part of their twelve disc box set entitled THE MGM SOUNDTRACK TREASURY.
For all of his accomplishments, Neal Hefti stands to be remembered most by his themes and scores for the original BATMAN (1967-68) series and THE ODD COUPLE (1970-1975). Both of these themes remain two of the most recognizable tunes in television history.
On behalf of Ain’t It Cool News, I’d like to extend our condolences to the Hefti family with assurance that Neal’s legacy will never be forgotten.
Let’s give Neal Hefti one final crazy chord to accompany one final celebratory…
ScoreKeeper
ScoreKeeper
-
+ Expand All
-
Always a sad thing when we lose somebody from the world.
-
I have a soundtrack to the Batman series and some of that stuff is really wild. Odd Couple theme is great, too.
R.I.P. Neil! -
...The Batman theme was practically my personal anthem as a small child. In fact, it's the ringtone on my girlfriend's cell phone when I call her. Life is short.
-
only just brought "Batman Theme & 19 Hefti Bat Songs" on cd the other month, RIP.
-
Who can forget "Batmannnnnnnnnnnn!" I hope they get that DVD out so the creative people can benefit now. Not to belittle this news in any way. I knew the name right away.
-
When I saw the obit there was nothing on this site yet. They just don't make TV themes like they used to. They hardly have themes. I still remeber the Simpsons parody. Leader, na na na na na na na na Leader.
-
Oct 15, 2008 3:44:38 PM CDT
Hefti inspired George Harrison and The Beatles "Taxman"...
by backrivercatfish
at least thats what I've read in different places. There are parts in both songs that are very similar and were written around the same time.
-
It's funny how people you've never met can have such a huge influence on your life. Well, clearly that Batman theme has put so much joy into my life over the years since I was a kid to even now as an adult. Thank you Mr. Hefti... God bless your soul.
-
Where are the '66 Batman DVD's? (non bootleg version, please)And why isn't it in syndication anymore?
-
There's no catchier theme song than the one for the "Batman" series. I believe it was Neil who tried to get the credits changed so that it reads "WORD and music by..." : )
-
Batmannn,Batmannn,Batmannn Biff! Bam! Zonk!
dunanananananan...Batmannnnnnn!RIP Hef. -
Your commitment to your craft...truly an artistic genius...RIP
-
Were purely inspired. Batman, Batman, Batman...
-
Best theme music in television history - FACT.
RIP Mr. Hefti -
The Batman theme was about the first song I ever knew. I never knew your name before, but thanks, Mr. Hefti.
-
... has one of my favorite titles and a great score. Tried to see it for years because of the title opening clip in Carrie. Wish the movie was better, but the first few minutes are great.
-
....you will never get it out of
your head. Brilliant...when I was
a teenager (and way before all the
technology we have now), I waited for the movie to air on TV, then pushed my Dad's reel-to-reel tape recorder microphone up against the
TV speaker...the only way I could
get a recording of the main title.
-
...the combination of that insanely brilliant (and yet sublimely simple) music and the animated titles make the opening credits of Batman one of the most irresitably enjoyable things one can see sitting down. RIP.
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 273 total posts 271 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 92 total posts 92 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 69 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 151 total posts 63 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 67 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 60 total posts 57 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 484 total posts 49 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 69 total posts 42 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 120 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 183 total posts 24 posts