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STAR TREK, PERRY MASON, GUNSMOKE Composer Fred Steiner Dies (1923-2011)

Published at: June 27, 2011, 4:31 p.m. CST Share On Facebook Twitter

ScoreKeeper here with news of the passing of Fred Steiner. There are different degrees of celebrity. Most film and television composers, while not known personally or perhaps even by name, are very well known by their work. This can be said of the prolific and talented Fred Steiner. If you read Ain't It Cool News chances are high that his music has touched your life in some way.

As one of the most prolific television composers in the business, Steiner is most regarded for his theme for PERRY MASON (1962-1966) as well as his episodic scores for hit TV series' including GUNSMOKE (1960-1965), RAWHIDE (1961-1964), ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE (1961-1964), and HOGAN'S HEROES (1965-1966),

As many shows as Steiner was attached to, the twenty-five episodes of STAR TREK (1966-1967) he composed and conducted music for, earn him his star on the Geek Walk of Fame.

On behalf of Ain't It Cool News I'd like to extend condelences to the Steiner family. May his music live forever!

If you'd like to read more about this great composer please check out this wonderfully written obituary by Jeff Bond.

Fred Steiner

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June 27, 2011, 4:36 p.m. CST

He was great, people.

by Mennen

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 4:37 p.m. CST

Looks a bit like a Vulcan--fitting, I guess. RIP

by dead youngling

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 4:47 p.m. CST

Do you think they'll show pic/footage of Ryan Dunn during the 2012 Academy Awards 'In Memorium' ?

by Dr. Francis B. Gross

Or will I just have to cope with the sadness of the unmentioned random hero?

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 4:57 p.m. CST

RIP, sir.

by Cletus Van Damme

Sounds like he was very talented.

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 5:02 p.m. CST

A very impressive list of iconic music. Rest in Peace sir.

by v3d

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 5:39 p.m. CST

that's pretty damned classic

by talby

"wait... wait... one more composition..." no sir, take it easy. rip. i'd been listening to more soundtracks in itunes, so i've been digging your posts for awhile. keep rocking on. a "best of devol" cd set is what i want; where is it?

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 5:42 p.m. CST

City on the Edge..and Perry Mason theme..

by Carl's hat

are enough to get this guy into the tv music hall of fame. Legendary stuff; an unsung classic tv contributor.

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 5:50 p.m. CST

Star Trek's "bad guy" theme

by Nem_Wan

Steiner's Romulan theme from "Balance of Terror" got reused whenever a bad guy glowered on the Enterprise viewscreen. Daaaaa-da-da-da-daaaaa-da-daaaaa!

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 6:56 p.m. CST

dope pure dope....made TV all the more enjoyable. Godspeed Sir.

by NorthTronic

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 7:53 p.m. CST

Wonder if he was related to Max Steiner, he of KING KONG and SEARCHERS fame?

by planetran_fan

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 8:26 p.m. CST

@southtexasmoviefreak nope

by sunwukong86

Reply to Talkback
June 27, 2011, 8:57 p.m. CST

Classy tunes

by blueant

Excellent Music scores. Today's musicians should take cues from talent like this and try harder.

Reply to Talkback
June 28, 2011, 12:19 a.m. CST

Fred Steiner, Sir, R.I.P. and Thank You!

by wtriker1701

You defined the music on Star Trek along with Mr. Courage. You've created Milestone in TV History. Thank you for that. Oh, and greetings to Jerry Goldsmith, while you're composing/conducting together now...

Reply to Talkback
June 28, 2011, 4:19 a.m. CST

RIP

by Dennis_Moore

Reply to Talkback
June 28, 2011, 4:19 a.m. CST

RIP!!!

by Briestro

Oh, this guy was killer. His TOS Trek stuff was incredible. B

Reply to Talkback
June 28, 2011, 8:20 p.m. CST

rocked it all classic like n' shit

by Dark Doom

Think about any TV show or movie without the music. Steiner rocked, fact, go ahead google it, you know I'm right. He rocked..

Reply to Talkback
June 29, 2011, 2:56 a.m. CST

Thank you Sir, for the jewels of my childhood

by Aloysius

Mighty Fred Steiner, you made the kid I was squirm, swoon and cheer. Your music was so much better than we deserved. RIP

Reply to Talkback
June 29, 2011, 8:49 a.m. CST

Well done, sir--and Thanks.

by proevad

I hope there is really something out there beyond. Peace.

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STAR TREK, PERRY MASON, GUNSMOKE Composer Fred Steiner Dies (1923-2011)

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