@californiaspinnaker Nope. It was used for all of NBC's sports in the mid-70's. You heard it to intro NFL, heard it at the end of 1975 World Series Game 6, NHL, NCAA Final 4...all of it. It was like the FOX sports theme you now hear for everything they do.
@LowellDevil I really like this retro theme, but another theme (and I can not find it ANYWHERE on here) that is equally nostalgic is the NBC College Basketball Theme done in marching-band style. Came out circa '78 or '79 and was used well into the '80's.
@freddycupples Yep.....several years ago I came upon a Youtube that had those notes but I've been unable to find it since. Monday Night Football also had a great theme during this time period.
The reason the NFL is having teams wear throwback uniforms is to make more money on jerseys, helmets etc. If I see one more middle age fat guy wearing a
Steeler jersey, I think I will puke. Let the kids wear that stuff. Adults look like
I remember this theme playing at halftime when Bryant Gumbel would bring highlights of the day's action with other games. Brings me back to when I was a kid playing football in the street as well.
love the days before total saturation came - youd wait with excitement for periodic updates of your rivals' games. it was always chilly outside. you were on to homework by 6pm sunday evening. now, its an all day thing. just too much. but i digress. still, I always love the NFL.
@jas22 your the man everything you said was right on point wake up on sunday mornings watch the bowrey boys on channel 5 in ny then the nfl today at 12oclock. Today its to much sport talk shows
0:04, The Ravens, Seahawks, Bucs, Titans, Panthers, Jaguars and Texans were not around in 1973, the ability of NBC to predict not only the names of those future teams, but also the logo is absolutely amazing.
man, life was a lot better and simpler back then, wasn't it?.....A few TV channels, no pc's-no internet, big cars, kids playing outside until dark, Howard Cosell, REAL NFL rivalries!, stay-at-home-moms.
Oh well....good while it lasted - at least I lived it!
Far superior to what NBC is using today. I remember it so very well, and I have it on my mp3 player. And does anyone remember the great film editting NBC did with the theme. I can still see Hollywood Henderson getting hammered on punt return coverage in Super Bowl 13. This theme should be remastered for today's programming. Thank you.
Does anybody recall the rather understated early-to-mid 70's NBC NFL program, "NFL '73", "NFL '74", etc.?
As I recall it was hosted by Bryant Gumbel and Lee Leonard. It'd be interesting ot see if any video exists of this program. As a kid, I recall it as being a bit more cerebral than the CBS offering, "NFL Today".
Someone said that NBC didn't have a real NFL pre-game show,until 1975 with "Grandstand" (ala the BBC's pre-and-post game show for english soccer),and yes Lee Leonard and Bryant Gumbel did host it along with St. Louis Cardinals annoncer,Jack Buck.But when that failed to compete with CBS' "NFL Today",NBC renamed it "NFL '76" (Then '77,'78,etc.),and Gumbel remained host until 1982 when he hosted the "Today" show.
Ahhh yes. I can hear Curt Gowdy's voice with this music right now. Hello everyone Curt Gowdy from Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati for the third game of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds.
I could hear Curt Gowdy saying,"Welcome to game 1 of the 1974 World Series.The American League champion,The Oakland A's vs. the National League Champion,The Los Angeles Dodgers".
@onepatriotaol Good idea. There's a lot the NFL could do to improve today's game ... wish they'd take note of comments like these all over YT. My biggest pet peeve is the players themselves. I'd like the game 10,000 times better if they'd just stop acting like idiots, celebrating every other play (usually when they're behind 30 points) and JUST PLAY THE GAME!!
@stringbenderE2E I agree 100%. They'll be getting KILLED, yet have time to HAM IT UP! And I HATE when they act up after the first play of the game. I guess, they're looking ahead, at a possible hollywood connection.
@Soulblackman Todays football is made up largely of immature boys who never grew up. It used to be played by MEN. I'd even take the mentality of kooks like Duane Thomas over these BRATS. Its a shameful league....all sports is getting this way just about.
@possumtail UR right, except about Duane Thomas. He was such a MAN, but being younger, and being somewhat influenced by the press, I didn't realize how LARGE he was and RELEVANT!
@onepatriotaol I've wished for a long time that these Networks do a retro on the themes, logos and graphics of their respective stations. It would be awesome to present that back to a new generation. I think the 70's was gifted for these types of retro materials.
the networks would do good by using these classy and awesome retro themes. I remember as a kid playing tackle in the streets w/ my buds humming these tunes. We were nuts
@TMountainroad I thought me and my friends were the only kids who were nuts by playing tackle in the streets as well. For some odd reason, asphalt was alot softer than plain old concrete...lol
@TMountainroad I hear ya Bro, those were the days when kids were freakin' tough and in shape! Playing tackle in the street was great and nobody cried I was hit too hard or late hit! Street hockey was great too when there was six inches of snow on the ground and the temp was in the single digits!! Bring back them days!!
I grew up listening to this theme. This could never be matched by today's dumbed down culture. Many of today's sport themes sound like something from an omen movie.
This has been used for a lot of sports over the years...this was also used for local TV Cincinnati Reds coverage during the Big Red Machine days of the 70s.
I would love to see NBC use this. CBS use the NFL Today song again. and ESPN the good Monday Night. DAA DAA DAAAA DAAAAA again. Fox can keep what it has.
Ah brings back memories The game of the week in baseball also used this theme. Anybody know or have the name of the theme used in 1971 and 72 for Game of the week in baseball their were two different ones I think the one in 1972 had a Hey, Hey Hey da da da da , hey hey!!
Takes me back to when NBC had a Hockey Game every Sunday Morning, or if it was an Extra Special Game, on a Friday Night, or a Saturday as well.
Back in 1974, I remembered NBC covering the Bruins and the Rangers in New York, on a Friday Night. And another time, they had the Flyers and the Canadiens, in Montreal on a Saturday Afternoon. Or maybe, the Bruins and the Canadiens, in Boston, on a Saturday Afternoon as well.
Those were the days! Too bad we can't more of that anymore.
one of the coolest and greatest instumentals of all time. I liked it so much that i taped it on audio cassette around 1974 but not the whole version or best quality. I'm glad to have found it here. I remember this theme for NFL Football and thy would show football players in action....at :57 you hear two drum cymbals which synchronized and showed the football being kicked by a foot for a field goal...probably from 40 at cagny with cleets.
This was the theme music on NBC when I started watching hockey in 1972-73 and I desperately wanted them to bring it back when they got the NHL back after the lockout. I also remember which shots were used most of the way through when it was the intro music to "NFL (year here)," their pregame show. For 79-80, over the last horn blasts, they used Lynn Swann, in a teammates arms, pointing at the sky with an Orange Bowl full of Terrible Towels waving after his fourth quarter SB 13 TD catch.
this theme was cobbled together in a lot of different ways depending on it's use. The hockey version and the Orange Bowl version seen elswhere on Youtube are slightly varied fom this football theme. How awesome it would be to have the whole theme uncut.
Remember in the '80s on NBC Pregame, Bob Costas would come on and say "Great Games, Great Moments on NBC." Then they would play a final second clip from a game in the 70s with music in the background. Damn, that was awesome. I wish they would bring that back. I'm going to email him and ask him to ask the Producer if they would consider doing it again. Thanks for posting this,A++++++++++
They also used this theme music for World Series broadcast, particulary the 1975 World Series between the Reds and Red Sox, saw it on ESPN Classic recently. I'm like everyone else who grew up hearing this, it reminds you of being young again and watching the games then, good memories.
If you love this song, read my two previous posts just below. It is "Don't Turn Away" by Midnite Flite. Type that into a Youtube search and drift back in time....
IN fact, if you listen to the original 1977 version, from about the 44 second mark through the 1:04 mark, that is the theme that NBC used the most for that period of time for their programming. This later version is certainly not 1973. But man oh man, if you combine this and then search the "NFL Today 1976" and try also the "NFL Today 1978" on youtube search, you will love it. Now, I wish I had the brief NBC 1985 "Great games, great moment on NBC" theme, which Costas used for pregame show.
What you here here IS the 1973 version, AND was featured on YouTube on the NFL and NHL intros of that era, complete with the then-NBC Sports logo. Type in 1976 Orange Bowl and you'll here it there too. The "disco" version did not come out until 1977.
This is "Don't Turn Away" by Midnite Flite. It is featured on TK Disco album from that I own. Search "Don' Turn Away" Midnite Flite on YOUTUBE, you will come up with this awesome song. This is NOT the 1973 version, the song did not come out until 1977. IN fact, this is a later variation. I remember it used for the 1977 World Series. Search "Don't Turn Away" now. By the way, the rest of the words are like "Don't Turn Away, take the love that you feel in your heart and turn it on today!"
This song is so good. Makes me think of Three Rivers and 10 play 80 yrd td drives by the Dolphins. Does any one remember a jazz version that NBC played. Female voices carried the melody instead of trumpets.
Dear The Lance Man, I have heard this 1968 American Football League theme song since the 1968 season. I think the best chance is to watch the N.F.L. Network. Perhaps they might rebroadcast the 1968 Heidi Game. That fantastic song was used in the intro. The great video was not used. NBC-TV chose to focus on the image of Joe Namath v.s. Ben Davidson, who were bitter rivals at that time.
NBC-TV has had some great sports themes. All of my friends loved this song! I did too, but my favorite all time sports intro was the 1968 American Football League song which also featured some great highlights. That great song blended with fast action scenes of Noland Smith, Brad Hubbert, and a ferocios hit by the Chiefs Bobby Bell on a Denver Broncos quarterback. Later that same season, NBC delivered again with the awesome Super Bowl Three theme song!
I loved this Theme Song better than any of the other Theme songs NBC ever had. If you could, if you are digging up Old Theme Songs, please, try to find me the CBS Theme Song for NHL Hockey as well.
I mean back in the EARLY 70's, before Hockey came on NBC. Like 1970, 1971, back then NHL Hockey was covered by CBS Sports.
My favorite football into ever. Note the Dolphins players being shown suiting up ..probably because they had gone undeated the season before.
Wish someone had postings of all the 70's highlight clips with various great tunes. It was a weekly highlight show..NBC I think, showing the games the previous week, with Tom Brookshier and Pat Summerall
Actually those NFL highlight shows were syndicated through NFL films and in the off season they would do a highlights show of great games over the years. Some of that stuff is still aired on the NFL network, but I've only seen it when I'm on the road since NFLN and Time Warner Cable are still in a tug of war over clearance and it is not available here (in NC) except on the dish.
AND the baseball coverage.
buffalobraves9 3 days ago
Why does this 1973 opening feature the present-day logos 0:04 ?
sketchguy2006 1 week ago
@sketchguy2006 It's just the song, not the actual intro. The actual intro is available on YT tho.
kgmule 1 week ago
good afternoon everyone, i'm curt gowdy with kyle rote from three rivers stadium in pittsburgh as the steelers host the oakland raiders
97jfg 2 weeks ago
best nfl theme music ever!
artfay69 1 month ago
... wow, this is moody. Back then, the idea was more to create a mood and strike a tone rather than assault the listener or viewer.
ChandlerPol 3 months ago
WHY ISN'T THERE THE HOCKEY IMAGES OPENING ALONE WITH THEME SONG ? THE NFL IMAGES SHOW IT WHY NOT THE OPENING FOR THE NHL?
FLYERFAN1000 3 months ago
@FLYERFAN1000 moron
xSoccerxCorex 2 months ago
ATTENTION !!
THIS WAS USED FOR NHL ONLY !!! Not NFL
californiaspinnaker 3 months ago
@californiaspinnaker moron
xSoccerxCorex 2 months ago
@californiaspinnaker
wrong.....
.....too much pot
possumtail 1 month ago
@californiaspinnaker Nope. It was used for all of NBC's sports in the mid-70's. You heard it to intro NFL, heard it at the end of 1975 World Series Game 6, NHL, NCAA Final 4...all of it. It was like the FOX sports theme you now hear for everything they do.
marquettefootball 1 month ago
Charlie Jones, Merlin Olsen...Al DeRogatis, Jim Simpson.... and of course Curt Gowdy...classic NBC voices.
rowdymax1 5 months ago
The NFL! A Quinn/Martin Production!
Starring David Jansen, Hal Holbrook, and special guest-star Karl Malden!
Tonight's episode:
"After Further Review"
"Some cereal, supposed to be good for you."
"Did you try it?"
"I'm not gonna try it, YOU try it..."
(oops, forgot to hit PAUSE on the Betamax)
pbanta62 5 months ago
NFL Today's theme on CBS was way better.
zowiedied 7 months ago
Sweet!!...i remember it well
Thebigbadwoof 8 months ago
i'm 49 years old. I haven't played football since high school in 1979.
Just hearing this makes me want to go out and clean someone's clock.
headley62 8 months ago 2
@headley62 what?
theotherguy245689 5 months ago
@headley62 - Ha, I feel exactly the same way!
Bearses 5 months ago
This is hands down the best theme song NBC has ever had for football or any other sport that they've covered!
LowellDevil 9 months ago 2
@LowellDevil I really like this retro theme, but another theme (and I can not find it ANYWHERE on here) that is equally nostalgic is the NBC College Basketball Theme done in marching-band style. Came out circa '78 or '79 and was used well into the '80's.
wizeman5974 8 months ago
they used this theme when nbc carried th nhl in the 70's also!!
TheTzdope 10 months ago
Sorry......CBS's was way, way better !!!
huskyjerk 1 year ago
This is coming back to me now:)
meowfit 1 year ago
c'mon, wtf was :04-:05, logos of modern teams with this legendary song. Get real man. Take that down.
jdg62269 1 year ago
Funkalicious!
starry8 1 year ago
this recording is missing the first crucial (and most memorable) notes.
freddycupples 1 year ago
@freddycupples Yep.....several years ago I came upon a Youtube that had those notes but I've been unable to find it since. Monday Night Football also had a great theme during this time period.
Gosh, these were the days, weren't they?!!!!!
possumtail 1 year ago
The reason the NFL is having teams wear throwback uniforms is to make more money on jerseys, helmets etc. If I see one more middle age fat guy wearing a
Steeler jersey, I think I will puke. Let the kids wear that stuff. Adults look like
idiots.
headley62 1 year ago
THE best sports theme ever.
swami1 1 year ago
they had more of a "Crime Fighter" movie theme back then. Such good times
jcextra 1 year ago
I remember this theme playing at halftime when Bryant Gumbel would bring highlights of the day's action with other games. Brings me back to when I was a kid playing football in the street as well.
PMann9321 1 year ago
Great post. Sounds live Grover Washington is playing the sax solo. I remember a jazz up version with finger snaps and females cooing the melody.
mskat502 1 year ago
Where's the video where the players put on their shoulder pads in the locker room and the highlight action?
Rickat1964 1 year ago
@Rickat1964
Look up the video "NFL on NBC", and you'll see it.
Jiltedin2007 1 year ago
love the days before total saturation came - youd wait with excitement for periodic updates of your rivals' games. it was always chilly outside. you were on to homework by 6pm sunday evening. now, its an all day thing. just too much. but i digress. still, I always love the NFL.
jas22 1 year ago 4
@jas22 your the man everything you said was right on point wake up on sunday mornings watch the bowrey boys on channel 5 in ny then the nfl today at 12oclock. Today its to much sport talk shows
brickchruch 1 year ago
Thumbs up! Excellent memories.
detmikeq 1 year ago
Reminds me of "Medical Center" theme
kxx46 1 year ago
like wow, man, i can dig it
TracyAndersonFoxhunt 1 year ago
0:04, The Ravens, Seahawks, Bucs, Titans, Panthers, Jaguars and Texans were not around in 1973, the ability of NBC to predict not only the names of those future teams, but also the logo is absolutely amazing.
SunsetSupermanRMB 1 year ago
@SunsetSupermanRMB THEY ACTUALLY PREDICTED THE NAMES OF THE TEAMS BACK THEN? NO, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT.
SB7771 1 year ago
They used this theme music for MLB too.
jimdep333 1 year ago
@jimdep333, I remember this theme same theme for MLB!
loveisok 1 year ago
Unfortunately, The NFL makes money on throwback uniforms, not throwback music...
mikeareal 1 year ago
I wonder if there was ticket scalping back then? How much would it cost to attend a Super Bowl in the early 70's?
jeffee50 1 year ago
this is a tradition that goes back forever. maybe $100 would be an outrageous price to pay back then. or $125.
emrrbv 1 year ago
This RULES! It sounds like Hawaii 5-O, the most badass TV theme of all time!
Jelperman 1 year ago
man, life was a lot better and simpler back then, wasn't it?.....A few TV channels, no pc's-no internet, big cars, kids playing outside until dark, Howard Cosell, REAL NFL rivalries!, stay-at-home-moms.
Oh well....good while it lasted - at least I lived it!
possumtail 1 year ago 4
@possumtail you're exactly right! ;)
herper64 1 year ago
Far superior to what NBC is using today. I remember it so very well, and I have it on my mp3 player. And does anyone remember the great film editting NBC did with the theme. I can still see Hollywood Henderson getting hammered on punt return coverage in Super Bowl 13. This theme should be remastered for today's programming. Thank you.
33Zorg 2 years ago
I just want to get up and knock the shit out of some halfback, quarterback, or wide receiver now.
jimmyjoemeeker 2 years ago
I know that you where you got that nickname...from the Rockford Files
jeffee50 1 year ago
Ah yes, "Grandstand, it's all coming back to me now. Thanks for the info!
notredamehesamighty 2 years ago 2
Does anybody recall the rather understated early-to-mid 70's NBC NFL program, "NFL '73", "NFL '74", etc.?
As I recall it was hosted by Bryant Gumbel and Lee Leonard. It'd be interesting ot see if any video exists of this program. As a kid, I recall it as being a bit more cerebral than the CBS offering, "NFL Today".
notredamehesamighty 2 years ago
Someone said that NBC didn't have a real NFL pre-game show,until 1975 with "Grandstand" (ala the BBC's pre-and-post game show for english soccer),and yes Lee Leonard and Bryant Gumbel did host it along with St. Louis Cardinals annoncer,Jack Buck.But when that failed to compete with CBS' "NFL Today",NBC renamed it "NFL '76" (Then '77,'78,etc.),and Gumbel remained host until 1982 when he hosted the "Today" show.
blank77 2 years ago
I think also,"Grandstand" was the pre-game show for "Baseball's Game Of The Week" in 1976 as well.If someone recalls otherwise,let me know.
blank77 2 years ago
Ahhh yes. I can hear Curt Gowdy's voice with this music right now. Hello everyone Curt Gowdy from Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati for the third game of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds.
cindyandron 2 years ago 4
Or as Game 3 of the '75 series would be called,"The Ed Armbrister fiasco".Red Sox fans love him as much as they do Bucky Dent,and that's not good.
blank77 2 years ago
WOW! VERY COOL! This is the first time I have heard this in over 30 years! Thank you!
kuszman 2 years ago 4
Excellent. But the only graphic you use is one with modern NFL logos.
CENPJ 2 years ago
Dear God, what a memory. I LOVED that theme...for me it's the theme of many a Sunday in the early 70's...watching the NFL on NBC.
rabidrabid 2 years ago 5
I could hear Curt Gowdy saying,"Welcome to game 1 of the 1974 World Series.The American League champion,The Oakland A's vs. the National League Champion,The Los Angeles Dodgers".
blank77 2 years ago 4
Funky 70s music!
loonmaniac 2 years ago 4
Since the league is focusing attention on 'Throwback" uniforms, NBC should use this "throwback theme" in one of its Sunday night games.
onepatriotaol 2 years ago 38
Your're damn right. Took the words right out of my mouth.
33Zorg 2 years ago
This theme was also used when NBC had coverage of the Arenal League.
vraydio 1 year ago
I obviously meant Arena.
vraydio 1 year ago
@onepatriotaol Good idea. There's a lot the NFL could do to improve today's game ... wish they'd take note of comments like these all over YT. My biggest pet peeve is the players themselves. I'd like the game 10,000 times better if they'd just stop acting like idiots, celebrating every other play (usually when they're behind 30 points) and JUST PLAY THE GAME!!
stringbenderE2E 1 year ago
@stringbenderE2E I agree 100%. They'll be getting KILLED, yet have time to HAM IT UP! And I HATE when they act up after the first play of the game. I guess, they're looking ahead, at a possible hollywood connection.
Soulblackman 1 year ago
@Soulblackman Todays football is made up largely of immature boys who never grew up. It used to be played by MEN. I'd even take the mentality of kooks like Duane Thomas over these BRATS. Its a shameful league....all sports is getting this way just about.
possumtail 1 year ago 2
@possumtail UR right, except about Duane Thomas. He was such a MAN, but being younger, and being somewhat influenced by the press, I didn't realize how LARGE he was and RELEVANT!
Soulblackman 1 year ago
@onepatriotaol i agree 100%! this is so nostalgic!
lovell123456789 1 year ago
@onepatriotaol I've wished for a long time that these Networks do a retro on the themes, logos and graphics of their respective stations. It would be awesome to present that back to a new generation. I think the 70's was gifted for these types of retro materials.
lcvd1 7 months ago
the networks would do good by using these classy and awesome retro themes. I remember as a kid playing tackle in the streets w/ my buds humming these tunes. We were nuts
TMountainroad 2 years ago 24
@TMountainroad lol! i did that too!
Metaldog67 1 year ago
@TMountainroad I thought me and my friends were the only kids who were nuts by playing tackle in the streets as well. For some odd reason, asphalt was alot softer than plain old concrete...lol
PMann9321 1 year ago
@TMountainroad you was kids dont worry about that.
mrtony19552055 1 year ago
@TMountainroad I hear ya Bro, those were the days when kids were freakin' tough and in shape! Playing tackle in the street was great and nobody cried I was hit too hard or late hit! Street hockey was great too when there was six inches of snow on the ground and the temp was in the single digits!! Bring back them days!!
AllAmerican1964 11 months ago
I've been looking for this piece of music for over 25 years, thank you!
Freewayjim 2 years ago 4
I grew up listening to this theme. This could never be matched by today's dumbed down culture. Many of today's sport themes sound like something from an omen movie.
richardguitar1 2 years ago 8
This has been used for a lot of sports over the years...this was also used for local TV Cincinnati Reds coverage during the Big Red Machine days of the 70s.
user60035839 2 years ago
My guess is WLW-TV(now WLWT-TV)
had Broadcast rights to the Cincinnati Reds and they use because of being an NBC affiliate.
DJRakow 2 years ago
I would love to see NBC use this. CBS use the NFL Today song again. and ESPN the good Monday Night. DAA DAA DAAAA DAAAAA again. Fox can keep what it has.
m1sterhockey 2 years ago
Damn straight...!
33Zorg 2 years ago
Thanks for finding this!... was also used by NBC for their baseball coverage... Particularly the World Series in 1975!... great to hear this again!!
WinchellMahoney 2 years ago
Comment removed
Realdeal232005 2 years ago
Comment removed
thehetheringtons 2 years ago
Wow...lots of memories as a kid listening to this on Sunday before the games began!
Lakeview312 2 years ago 3
nice...but were is the video.
Daisyno2 2 years ago
They should use this theme on Sunday Night Football which is on NBC.
crcracker1 2 years ago 2
If this song doesnt get you fired up and ready to smack someone on the football field, nothing will!!
jeffee50 2 years ago 5
Ah brings back memories The game of the week in baseball also used this theme. Anybody know or have the name of the theme used in 1971 and 72 for Game of the week in baseball their were two different ones I think the one in 1972 had a Hey, Hey Hey da da da da , hey hey!!
Rimmrocker62 2 years ago
Oh man this rocked!
WomackPhotoKCMO 2 years ago 2
This is the shit here baby!
dolphinbuc 2 years ago 3
this theme is 100% better than today's dull cbs theme.
degennaro59 2 years ago 3
the texans,jags,titans,panthers, wasn't around in 73
abcdefghij73 2 years ago
neither were Bucs, Seahawks and Ravens...actually Titans franchise was around, they were the Houston Oilers.
soxpacker 2 years ago
Comment removed
TheBC02 2 years ago
Takes me back to when NBC had a Hockey Game every Sunday Morning, or if it was an Extra Special Game, on a Friday Night, or a Saturday as well.
Back in 1974, I remembered NBC covering the Bruins and the Rangers in New York, on a Friday Night. And another time, they had the Flyers and the Canadiens, in Montreal on a Saturday Afternoon. Or maybe, the Bruins and the Canadiens, in Boston, on a Saturday Afternoon as well.
Those were the days! Too bad we can't more of that anymore.
Jiltedin2007 2 years ago
If I recall, NBC made a modern remix of this and used it for the 1st year of its Arena Football coverage
crispinh1 2 years ago
That sounds like Grover Washington on that sax solo. I remember NBC having a jazz up version with female chorus on the melody.
twobitjohnson 2 years ago
The music is great, but does anyone know how i could find some Curt Gowdy commentary. He was the best in my eyes
gpcall 3 years ago
Type in Super Bowl 13 Steelers vs. Cowboys
soxpacker 2 years ago
It's weird--I oved him as a kid, but he doesn't holdup well forsome reason.
hubbased 2 years ago
one of the coolest and greatest instumentals of all time. I liked it so much that i taped it on audio cassette around 1974 but not the whole version or best quality. I'm glad to have found it here. I remember this theme for NFL Football and thy would show football players in action....at :57 you hear two drum cymbals which synchronized and showed the football being kicked by a foot for a field goal...probably from 40 at cagny with cleets.
arealmench 3 years ago
This was the theme music on NBC when I started watching hockey in 1972-73 and I desperately wanted them to bring it back when they got the NHL back after the lockout. I also remember which shots were used most of the way through when it was the intro music to "NFL (year here)," their pregame show. For 79-80, over the last horn blasts, they used Lynn Swann, in a teammates arms, pointing at the sky with an Orange Bowl full of Terrible Towels waving after his fourth quarter SB 13 TD catch.
schmoop14 3 years ago
NBC also used the theme for its baseball coverage
delbard1 3 years ago
And also it's Hockey Coverage as well.
Jiltedin2007 2 years ago
this theme was cobbled together in a lot of different ways depending on it's use. The hockey version and the Orange Bowl version seen elswhere on Youtube are slightly varied fom this football theme. How awesome it would be to have the whole theme uncut.
gibby100 3 years ago
This theme is my favourite,to this day.....
cregan55 3 years ago
Remember in the '80s on NBC Pregame, Bob Costas would come on and say "Great Games, Great Moments on NBC." Then they would play a final second clip from a game in the 70s with music in the background. Damn, that was awesome. I wish they would bring that back. I'm going to email him and ask him to ask the Producer if they would consider doing it again. Thanks for posting this,A++++++++++
jdg62269 3 years ago 3
Several NBC affiliates used the teletype sound beginning at :38 for local news.
AaronApolloCamp 3 years ago
Now THAT is "Old School", awesome!
Freewayjim 3 years ago 2
They also used this theme music for World Series broadcast, particulary the 1975 World Series between the Reds and Red Sox, saw it on ESPN Classic recently. I'm like everyone else who grew up hearing this, it reminds you of being young again and watching the games then, good memories.
3811iberis 3 years ago 7
3811: I couldn't have said it better.
AtomicDawg713 3 years ago 3
Wow. I haven't heard this theme in ages. Where did you find this?
Davidt33 3 years ago 2
THIS WAS A COOL THEME THOUGH!
Metaldog67 3 years ago
I like this theme it sounds like hawaii 50 and entertament tonight bring this theme to sunday night football next season
mrmonty86 3 years ago 2
If you love this song, read my two previous posts just below. It is "Don't Turn Away" by Midnite Flite. Type that into a Youtube search and drift back in time....
housejk 3 years ago
IN fact, if you listen to the original 1977 version, from about the 44 second mark through the 1:04 mark, that is the theme that NBC used the most for that period of time for their programming. This later version is certainly not 1973. But man oh man, if you combine this and then search the "NFL Today 1976" and try also the "NFL Today 1978" on youtube search, you will love it. Now, I wish I had the brief NBC 1985 "Great games, great moment on NBC" theme, which Costas used for pregame show.
housejk 3 years ago
What you here here IS the 1973 version, AND was featured on YouTube on the NFL and NHL intros of that era, complete with the then-NBC Sports logo. Type in 1976 Orange Bowl and you'll here it there too. The "disco" version did not come out until 1977.
davemock 3 years ago
This is "Don't Turn Away" by Midnite Flite. It is featured on TK Disco album from that I own. Search "Don' Turn Away" Midnite Flite on YOUTUBE, you will come up with this awesome song. This is NOT the 1973 version, the song did not come out until 1977. IN fact, this is a later variation. I remember it used for the 1977 World Series. Search "Don't Turn Away" now. By the way, the rest of the words are like "Don't Turn Away, take the love that you feel in your heart and turn it on today!"
housejk 3 years ago
This song is so good. Makes me think of Three Rivers and 10 play 80 yrd td drives by the Dolphins. Does any one remember a jazz version that NBC played. Female voices carried the melody instead of trumpets.
twobitjohnson 3 years ago
They should play retro themes sometimes during football season
mrmonty86 3 years ago
Dear The Lance Man, I have heard this 1968 American Football League theme song since the 1968 season. I think the best chance is to watch the N.F.L. Network. Perhaps they might rebroadcast the 1968 Heidi Game. That fantastic song was used in the intro. The great video was not used. NBC-TV chose to focus on the image of Joe Namath v.s. Ben Davidson, who were bitter rivals at that time.
fairnorth 3 years ago
NBC-TV has had some great sports themes. All of my friends loved this song! I did too, but my favorite all time sports intro was the 1968 American Football League song which also featured some great highlights. That great song blended with fast action scenes of Noland Smith, Brad Hubbert, and a ferocios hit by the Chiefs Bobby Bell on a Denver Broncos quarterback. Later that same season, NBC delivered again with the awesome Super Bowl Three theme song!
fairnorth 3 years ago
Hi...is that available to be heard anywhere on youtube or internet?
thelanceman 3 years ago
I remember this theme very well! It came on right after the peacock! I was 12 when it was out!
Chicago10281 3 years ago
Never knew this was called "El Toro". Who performed this original arrangement for NBC? I'd like to try and find it in MP3 form
Boudreaux2001 3 years ago
I think of Curt Gowdy when I hear this.
BarryMcCocaner 3 years ago 2
I remember hearing this on NBC's pre game, NFL (fill in the year) during the Bryant Gumbel years. That song left when Len Berman took over in 1982.
QBCNetwork 3 years ago
I remember both this original arrangement and the disco version from the late 70s and early 80s. (Anyone remember the vocals?)
davemock 3 years ago
When I hear this music, it reminds makes me think of O.J Simpsonm who did color and sideline reporting for NBC after his retirement.
Mystic0157 3 years ago
ive been looking for this! for the football season exclusively, there was a different version, with a slower tempo at the opening.
jas22 3 years ago
IIRC, the theme was called "El Toro." My high school band played it during pep rallys from 78-80. It usually got the student body rocking.
deliveryboy2007 3 years ago
Best NFL Intro music ever!
moose6747 3 years ago
I loved this Theme Song better than any of the other Theme songs NBC ever had. If you could, if you are digging up Old Theme Songs, please, try to find me the CBS Theme Song for NHL Hockey as well.
I mean back in the EARLY 70's, before Hockey came on NBC. Like 1970, 1971, back then NHL Hockey was covered by CBS Sports.
Jiltedin2007 3 years ago
My favorite football into ever. Note the Dolphins players being shown suiting up ..probably because they had gone undeated the season before.
Wish someone had postings of all the 70's highlight clips with various great tunes. It was a weekly highlight show..NBC I think, showing the games the previous week, with Tom Brookshier and Pat Summerall
TSXZGORA 3 years ago
Actually those NFL highlight shows were syndicated through NFL films and in the off season they would do a highlights show of great games over the years. Some of that stuff is still aired on the NFL network, but I've only seen it when I'm on the road since NFLN and Time Warner Cable are still in a tug of war over clearance and it is not available here (in NC) except on the dish.
joebradio 3 years ago
This music ROCKS!
Jelperman 3 years ago
Like this theme and glad to hear it since oz615 (the guy with the video) got the boot.
WVECSpirit 3 years ago
and the NHL on NBC
DGarcia879 3 years ago
And let's not forget,NBC used this for the Baseball Game Of The Week in the 70's as well.
blank77 3 years ago