Of course the neon lights that was used for the first season of "A.B.C. Monday Night Football" was modeled after the one used for "The A.B.C. Sunday Night Movie" (also Monday and Wednesday) that was seen from 1967 to 1971, possibly to emphasize the show business angle.
I've never commented on a video, but I had to for this one. For YEARS, I have been trying to find this version. As pmanis9 mentioned, when I looked for it, all I could find was "Heavy Action." Thanks, Stratman!!!
Outstanding post. I truly thank you. This theme has only survived in mostly worn out and creased video clips that don't do it justice. I wish that some of the mid to late 70's versions could also be posted in their true form. Thanks again!
Outstanding post. I truly thank you. This theme has only survived in mostly worn out and creased video clips that don't do it justice. I wish that some of the mid to late 70's versions could also be posted in their true form. Thanks again!
R.I.P. "Dandy Don" Meredith, we will all make sure that the lights will always be on and that "The Party's (NOT) Over", we will all remember you and the legacy you left us with.
Charles Fox also wrote the Love American Style theme as well.Hank Williams and Faith Hill is way to much and what does that have to do with Monday Night Football.Love the original theme.
Excellent post! The original theme is far superior than the current theme. I wished that they could use this theme for the Monday Night games that featured a throwback game (i.e. the AFL Legacy Games last year, etc.). I understand the legal issues that come into play when using this theme music, but it would be cool.
What a great post! I've always wondered who did the original theme. Many people mistakenly think it's "Heavy Action" by Johnny Pearson, but that's the later version - not the original. I just figured it was a KPM production. Charles Fox makes total sense since he did so much TV themes ("Love American Style", "Happy Days', etc.). Totally cool tune...
@pmanis09 "Heavy Action" was a pre-credits tune, never the actual MNF theme song....as someone on a posting of a 1973 MNF opening said, you feel cooler just listening to this.
@pmanis09 "Heavy Action" was used from nearly the beginning, but only as 'feature' music for lead-ins, meaning Cosell's voice-overs on action. THAT was a perfect combination. It now is pretty much used for everything else except the stupid, worn out (for over a decade) intro song.
@tvgator1 Not true. "Heavy Action"(a.k.a. "Superstars") was composed by Johnny Pearson in 1974, and was not purchased for use (or used) by ABC on Monday Night Football until 1978. So that was a full eight seasons into the show's run. The lead-ins and intro music varied prior to '78....for example, featuring "Leader of the Pack" by John Fiddy during the 1976 season.
@tvgator1 Is it worn out? Absolutely. But too many people hear those first four notes and automatically get a charge up the spine, smile on the face, and think of their favorite sport. That's why it's happily overused.
Of course the neon lights that was used for the first season of "A.B.C. Monday Night Football" was modeled after the one used for "The A.B.C. Sunday Night Movie" (also Monday and Wednesday) that was seen from 1967 to 1971, possibly to emphasize the show business angle.
vividwatch47 2 months ago
thank you again stratman78! I have listened, watched and danced to this clip dozens of times! It never fails to give me a lift!
newjackdoug 2 months ago
THANKS for posting this, and the excellent quality - I've been looking for it for a looooong time!
zzz1zzz1xxx 3 months ago
this should be the theme
bustersmooth1000 4 months ago
@bustersmooth1000 Forget Hank Williams theme
pacmannick 4 months ago
yesssssssssssssssssssss
jmmclawh 4 months ago
ESPN should this insted Hank Williams song
pacmannick 4 months ago
@pacmannick Ha! Perfect timing! Ol'Hank. Time to go retro anyway...this would be SICK!
kgmule 4 months ago 2
Absolutely fantastic!
Aeolis7 4 months ago
Sounds a lot like the Lynda Carter "Wonder Woman" TV series intro theme in some places.
todduncommon 4 months ago 2
Ew.
ProWrestlingRewind 5 months ago
Coming to ABC: The Don Squad!
pbanta62 5 months ago
I've never commented on a video, but I had to for this one. For YEARS, I have been trying to find this version. As pmanis9 mentioned, when I looked for it, all I could find was "Heavy Action." Thanks, Stratman!!!
P.S.- Loved the lapels on Danderoo. :)
SouthSpeechClass 5 months ago
All I want for christmas is a canary yellow ABC Sports blazer!
JerryG918 5 months ago
What a pipsqueek theme for Moonday Night Football....
TheTexasViper 6 months ago
@TheTexasViper These days...you're right. But when CBS was airing generic college marching band music, this was cutting edge.
marquettefootball 4 months ago
@marquettefootball Very, very true marquette.
kgmule 3 months ago
Sounds like 70s porno music. lol
lorenzodemedici1 6 months ago
I miss the matching ABC Sports jackets, especially the canary yellow ones. (lol)
vraydio 7 months ago
Frank Gifford also did double-duty as sportcaster for WABC-TV's Eyewitness News in the early to mid 1970s.
tyrese3745 7 months ago
Dandy Don, Faultless Frank, and Howard the mouth........the best team for monday night football
northshore7x 7 months ago 2
Thumbs up if Don Meredith's nipples got you hard.
blakfloyd 8 months ago
I'm must be getting old ,I'm starting to miss Howard Cosell.
johnLA1961 8 months ago
by the way dude...stratman78, sweet upload. i've been rockin this on monday nights in hope of the lockout ending. thanks.
kgmule 9 months ago
Priceless ! ! ! __ Thank You !
chiparoo222 9 months ago
Too bad that when MNF celebrated their 40th anniversary ESPN didn't used this theme in tribute.
ebf1957 1 year ago
I Have the 45rpm record of this (not the promo one shown--the commercially sold one) Could never find this on any CD or mp3. Great post!
tvgator1 1 year ago
I
Feel
So
Old
nomadseawolf 1 year ago 2
Awesome!!! Even though it is very much of its time, which only adds to its greatness. Thanks for uploading!!
DesiluTrek 1 year ago
Man, those were the days! Hank Williams Jr. ruined night ball.
JohnDope6666 1 year ago
The Partys Oveeeeeeer.. RIP Don Meredith
a1cjlock 1 year ago
Outstanding post. I truly thank you. This theme has only survived in mostly worn out and creased video clips that don't do it justice. I wish that some of the mid to late 70's versions could also be posted in their true form. Thanks again!
nypackfan4 1 year ago
Outstanding post. I truly thank you. This theme has only survived in mostly worn out and creased video clips that don't do it justice. I wish that some of the mid to late 70's versions could also be posted in their true form. Thanks again!
nypackfan4 1 year ago
@ 1:45 Don is looking at Howard and thinking, "You are so full of shit!!"
markko17 1 year ago 7
R.I.P. "Dandy Don" Meredith - 1938-2010
We will all make sure that The lights will ALWAYS be on and The Party Will NEVER Be Over
AK47Music 1 year ago
R.I.P. "Dandy Don" Meredith, we will all make sure that the lights will always be on and that "The Party's (NOT) Over", we will all remember you and the legacy you left us with.
AK47Music 1 year ago
No OJ?
thepaulbernard 1 year ago
Awesome theme.
Very retro.
ToroRosso20 1 year ago
Charles Fox+ABC Monday Night Football=GROOVY!
TerryT1976 1 year ago
Charles Fox also wrote the Love American Style theme as well.Hank Williams and Faith Hill is way to much and what does that have to do with Monday Night Football.Love the original theme.
robphilll22 1 year ago
"Stand by all cameras..."
dcbandnerd 1 year ago
jazz and funky as o' hell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
use2slam2 1 year ago
Absolutely AWESOME!!!! THANK YOU!!!!
hmbpnz 1 year ago
WOW I never thought Id hear this again!!! I love this !!!!
funkychick60 1 year ago
Excellent use of Peignot font in the intro.
Love is, indeed, all around.
mdumas43073 1 year ago
hard to imagine that Monday Night Football debuted 40 years ago.
frankd1965 1 year ago
soooo groovy! soooo funky! can't get enough of it! thank you! wish I could have better appreciated those times when they were happening!
newjackdoug 1 year ago
Great post!!! Thank you
kgmule 1 year ago
I'd never heard the full-length version of this great theme song! thanx 4 posting!
selloutasaurus 1 year ago
Furthermore, the theme I'm talking about is the Hank Williams one. The Heavy Action is a classic Monday Night Football theme as well.
HightowerDH 1 year ago
Excellent post! The original theme is far superior than the current theme. I wished that they could use this theme for the Monday Night games that featured a throwback game (i.e. the AFL Legacy Games last year, etc.). I understand the legal issues that come into play when using this theme music, but it would be cool.
HightowerDH 1 year ago
What a great post! I've always wondered who did the original theme. Many people mistakenly think it's "Heavy Action" by Johnny Pearson, but that's the later version - not the original. I just figured it was a KPM production. Charles Fox makes total sense since he did so much TV themes ("Love American Style", "Happy Days', etc.). Totally cool tune...
pmanis09 1 year ago 4
@pmanis09 "Heavy Action" was a pre-credits tune, never the actual MNF theme song....as someone on a posting of a 1973 MNF opening said, you feel cooler just listening to this.
schmoop14 1 year ago 2
@pmanis09 "Heavy Action" was used from nearly the beginning, but only as 'feature' music for lead-ins, meaning Cosell's voice-overs on action. THAT was a perfect combination. It now is pretty much used for everything else except the stupid, worn out (for over a decade) intro song.
tvgator1 1 year ago
@tvgator1 Not true. "Heavy Action"(a.k.a. "Superstars") was composed by Johnny Pearson in 1974, and was not purchased for use (or used) by ABC on Monday Night Football until 1978. So that was a full eight seasons into the show's run. The lead-ins and intro music varied prior to '78....for example, featuring "Leader of the Pack" by John Fiddy during the 1976 season.
kgmule 11 months ago
@tvgator1 Is it worn out? Absolutely. But too many people hear those first four notes and automatically get a charge up the spine, smile on the face, and think of their favorite sport. That's why it's happily overused.
marquettefootball 11 months ago