A Tribute to BBC Composer Ronnie Hazlehurst

On 1st October 2007, Ronnie Hazlehurst sadly died. He was best known for writing many BBC Television theme tunes during his time as BBC Light Entertainment Director of Music in the 1970s 80s and 90s. Ronnie was also the Eurovision Song contest Musical Director for the occasions when the Song Contest was hosted in the UK.

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• Hazlehurst
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• telly
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• themes
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[culttelevision]

He didn't compose Wogan. That first theme from 1985 was written by B.A. Robertson

[johnmartin1097]

@culttelevision Didn't he. Perhaps he only arranged it then?

[syrett76]

Some great tunes to that really remind me of my childhood. RIP

[bushwacka1980]

ABSOLUTE BLOODY GENIUS!

[culttelevision]

@culttelevision No he wrote the later theme from 1988 onwards which ditched the 80s synth sounds for jazzy big band, arranged and played by Harry Stoneham and his band.

[pikupstix56]

In so many of his theme tunes the syllables of the show's title are built into the rhythm of the tune. Try singing "the-last-of, the-summer-wine" to that show's harmonica theme....fits perfectly......Again the flugelhorn/trumpet theme fits under "are, you, being-served" on that show's tune. Again "The rise, and fall-of re-gi-nald pe-rrin" fits that show's main french horn melody. Such a simple technique but genius results.

[iosnick]

Ronnie made the BBC. So clever too that Some mothers tune is actualy morse code

[Jennyferrrary]

where can i download the wogan music?

[culttelevision]

@johnmartin1097 I think Ronnie Hazlehurst composed the theme from 1987 which was a big band / Hammond organ theme arranged by Harry Stoneham who was the show's musical director from that year until it finished. This is far more characteristic of Hazlehurst.

[culttelevision]

@johnmartin1097 No, this is definitely a B.A. Robertson composition and arrangement as you can tell from the excessive use of Simmons electronic drums and the LinnDrum which he used in every track of this era (See the Saturday SuperStore theme as a prime example from 1982!). Robertson did two theme mixes - one for summer (with the Orange title cards and a drumless synth intro) and one for the winter (blue background titles and the familiar swing hi-hat pattern which is the one you have here).

[TheMusicman12ize]

a genius bushwacka i couldent av said it better the tv themes this great man has done is a credit to him and to tv industry r.i.p ronnie these r all the best tv themes of all time here

[davelounder]

Very talented man! Especially love "The Two Ronnies" theme song! Brit comedy certainly has it all over American "comedy"!!! Thanks for sharing, and many thanks to Mr. Hazlehurst! Dave Lounder (USA)