From Magnum P.I. to Law & Order - The Man Behind TV’s Most Memorable Themes | Vinyl Rewind

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Composer Mike Post produced five top ten singles and won five Grammy Awards plus an Emmy, yet his name remains largely unknown to the general public despite the fact his TV themes are so ingrained into our pop culture. On today’s episode I aim to change that by exploring the life and work of Mike Post #magnumpi #lawandorder #vinylrewind
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Vinyl Rewind is your home for vinyl related content on KZbin. Each week, new uploads feature vinyl-based music reviews, video essays, artist interviews, cocktails and collecting tips, for both the novice and expert collectors. Vinyl Rewind is dedicated to preserving an analogue lifestyle in the digital age. Watch-Listen-Learn
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[@timespace.productions7513]

The Rockford Files theme song is one my favorites of all time!

[@mikeroeder]

One of the first 7" singles I got as a kid was the Rockford Files Theme. Love the guitars and harmonica on that song.

[@mattyc.9332]

Love the guitar solo on the song....

[@michaelwilson2340]

Good job on the research! I wasn't aware he did so much. My favorite is a tie: The theme from Greatest American Hero and Hill Street Blues.

[@msmoniz]

I'm 44a and Mike Post's various TV theme music is the sound of my childhood into my 20's, starting with The Rockford Files all the way to the Law and Order shows. Those theme songs give me a warm fuzzy feeling of comfort.

[@scottinman5788]

Mike Post is THE MAN! I love "The Rockford Files" theme along with "Law And Order". Both are timeless! Rockford Files is my current ringtone. :)

[@VinylRewind]

nice!

[@JakeCuster]

Great video! It’s great to see so much work and research going into a producer/composer that doesn’t get as much recognition

[@dominicaaaaa5547]

growing up in the 80s --- thought u were in ur 20s u gorgeous bastard

[@VinylRewind]

Ha, I was born in '82

[@cerebralaudio5587]

Great to see someone actually documenting the work of Mike Post. I've been aware of most of his work since the 80's/90's (I had a record of his with the themes songs from Hill St. Blues, Magnum PI, The White Shadow, Rockford Files, Greatest American Hero, and a couple of more obscure shows). I wasn't aware of his early work though with Andy Williams, on Toma, etc. Really nice to have that background filled in.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

The first TV series theme Mike Post did (along with Pete Carpenter) was Toma (which was later retooled as Baretta with Robert Blake in the title role).

[@dixielandfarm]

Being a child of the 80s, I'm well aware of Mike Posts music, though I was shocked when I found his name on a Mason Williams album as an arranger and then found out at how far back his career went. Great video, Eric!

[@VinylRewind]

Crazy right, he got his start so young. I really recommend watching all of this interview kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHLRkHeImL6oZ5o

[@tabbycat8511]

Exxeptional piece. Been a fan since Rockford. My favorite post album is still NOT available in any digital form - 1975’s “Railhead Overture.” Also love the flip side of the “Hill Street Blues” 45, “Aron’s Tune,” written for his son. Lots of info I didn’t know. Thanks!

[@tripbreaker]

In high school during the 80’s I would tell people I was into Rush, Tom Petty and Mike Post. That Magnum theme is still in my top 10.

[@VinylRewind]

that's awesome

[@estankona]

Thank you for this video... I love Mike Post's music!

[@inerlogic]

Shout out to Carol Kaye in the photo at 2:52 Talk about your under appreciated players.....

[@elcasho]

Good doco, more please! Magnum PI will always be awesome

[@Garrettdenardo]

There are so many great theme songs, but Twin Peaks would probably be my favorite. Your videos are so enjoyable to watch, thanks for uploading!

[@VinylRewind]

Thank you and yes, The Twin Peaks theme is great and very unique, one of my favs too

[@tripbreaker]

Garrett DeNardo Angelo Badalamenti - I love saying that guys name.

[@gtw541]

Very cool!

[@keonjenkins1852]

Someone posted an intro of the Magnum P.I. Ian Freebain-Smith theme . His daughter actually commented on it. She said that her father and Donald P. Bellisario couldnt agree on the theme. It sounded a little outdated for its time. The visuals were definitely a big part of that also.

[@reginal.898]

So many shows I never watched, yet know the theme songs of. Mike Post is the GOAT!

[@bradlafferty6076]

Mike Post is a legend

[@somesuchx8912]

This is a fascinating, brilliantly researched documentary. Thank you so much. PS I'd have found it a lot earlier if you'd mentioned Mike Post in the title!

[@nicogame5039]

Hey mate, just discovered you through the magic that youtube recommended sometimes is and instantly got hooked. Keep up the good work lad, I'mma stick around.

[@VinylRewind]

thank you and I love your username lol

[@uofa82]

This guy is very talented.

[@utahutahutah1]

A truly great Mike Post theme is" Roughnecks". a UK series set on an oil rig.

[@petehatzakos]

I remember buying an EP of Mike Post's TV tunes in the 1980s, but never knew the backstory that got him where he is. Very cool video! Great job Mike Post!

[@LRS905]

These videos are awesome, so much research presented in such an attractive and enthusiastic way. I love that Tikki room ambience!

[@VinylRewind]

thank you

[@artytoons]

The way Mike Post composed theme songs were sheer genius. For The Rockford Files, Post added the sassy harmonica to match Jim Rockford's smart ass manner towards the menacing bad guys and the antagonistic police brass. The A-Team had the rapid fire drum beat and music to match the military weapons the A-Team guys would fire. L.A. Law had the combination of Beach Boys Southern California drum beats and the Saxophone for the "sexy" romances among the McKenzie Brackman firm attorneys. NYPD Blue had the Subway train track drumbeats and the "quiet" music section representing the police detectives' human sides during and outside of their work among the city bustle's drums. Law & Order had the judge's gavel bass drums and the Gershwin New York jazz clarinet to represent the city's crime stories while Law & Order Criminal Intent added the electric guitar to represent the murderer's course of action during the detectives' investigations. Law & Order producer Dick Wolf complementted Post for his tv show music contributions: "I don't know how you do it, but I'm glad you do it for me."

[@artytoons]

Mike Post on creating the NYPD Blue theme kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXTUcqBnqMp8r80

[@ThirdSpectrum]

Fun fact: Stephen J. Cannell productions has a famous logo that shows him typing on a typewriter in his office and throwing the paper up in the air which was then parodied on The Simpsons with Itchy & Scratchy.

[@VinylRewind]

dude, I loved that logo as a kid and tried to incorporate it in this video but it just didn't make sense. I feel like Garth Marenghi's Darkplace played off it as well

[@optimisticoutreach1236]

I have been on You Tube for over 10 years and it is my primary source of entertainment. That being said, you have one of the most satisfying channels I have come across. Very well rounded and well produced...plus the fact that you sound like Casey Kasem. Well done!

[@bazza5699]

wow! i had no idea he was so productive..amazing.. great video..well done.

[@lisaheisey6168]

There are a bunch of tv themes, that I really like. But, if I hear the theme to Twin Peaks, it'll literally stop me in my tracks and I have to stop what I'm doing and let myself float away in that music. So, that's my favorite. PS. My favorite Mike Post theme is definitely his theme for Hill Street Blues.

[@johnbiles419]

This was a very informative and interesting video. Thanks!

[@crs290]

Late to the channel, but you do good work. Great presentation. Keep it up.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Awesome! I grew up with those shows and themes. Back then when themes were real themes and not 2-seconnd SFX for the conemporary patience-challenged audience ;)

[@VinylRewind]

I know right, sadly I'm guilty of reducing my own theme song to a 2sec blip

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@VinylRewind We love you just the same ;)

[@normanbejar6547]

I enjoy Mike Post Theme Songs from the Rockford Files to The A-Team. Mike should’ve done music for Family Matters & Full House.

[@passiton3801]

Amazing potted history of one of the best TV composers an arrangers, Hollywood has seen!

[@Fishermhm]

Really appreciate the grind and quality to your videos. Very underrated channel.

[@Clay3613]

Being a "producer" on Van Halen III, of course we all know Eddie was the one calling the shots...what a mess of an album. I have that Hill Street Blues single!

[@JoeMahan]

Great job. My favorite TV theme song is. The Name of the Game.

[@RebeccaKhan-fx7jf]

Love Magnum.

[@khengliatong5991]

Another great article! Keep it up!

[@dollcefina]

Bicuriosity Stream?? 😻

[@loupashire]

He is basically to US TV what John Williams is to the US movies.

[@charlesroeckeriv6226]

Awesome, inspiring video! Now PLEASE, do a documentary like this on John Williams--Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman, Jurassic Park . . . he's Mozart and Beethoven in one person!

[@VinylRewind]

holy cow, that would be an undertaking. one of my favorite experiences was watching Jaws with a live orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl

[@johnsweda2999]

I love the Hill Street Blues great theme tune did he write any other music base on the theme tune like on a album, did he write any other tunes for the show Hill Street Blues.

[@uofa82]

Love the Magnum tune! The second one. NOT the first one! (What we they thinking!🤮)

[@nysguy07]

Anyone who thinks Cop Rock was not good has no taste. It was a great show that went above its audience’s head.

[@Zelomeisterdude]

I enjoy so many of his themes, but my favorite Mike Post theme is the short one to the sit-com "News Radio." There's just something about it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6Tdn3mom8aKjcU Also, Mike Post's themes have become so ubiquitous through the years Pete Townshend wrote a song called "Mike Post Theme" for The Who's "Endless Wire" album: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXqcl3qCicljjtU

[@utub1473]

Hey, could you do a video on pre-amps. It seems my built in one is failing and if anyone could tell me about them I think you would be the one.

[@VinylRewind]

I have to do more research on that, I don't have a lot of experience with pre-amps beyond the few I own, I'll look into it. You can't go wrong with a Pro-Ject though

[@Theomite]

Stu Phillips next! Stu Phillips next! Stu Phillips next!

[@VinylRewind]

I'm not familiar with his work, I'll look into it

[@jcstevegigs]

Googling his net worth you get ranges from $500K to $8M...I wonder what it really is? It has to be pretty good.

[@angel-loves-jazz]

You calling the Law and Order sound the "cha chong" sound is officially your peak. At this point just shut down the channel.

[@gecafe]

Why does your copyright read 2012, what’s the gag I’m missing

[@VinylRewind]

It's just the year I commissioned the logo intro from the graphic artist and I never paid to update it over the years. I'm not sure he even does video work anymore

[@danielellis4749]

Isn't Henry Mancini the greatest TV composer? His themes for TV shows were great plus his films and LPs. He won several Oscars too.

[@MrROTD]

Magnum PI on guitar is hard to play

[@danutsak]

How old r u you look so young

[@typorter-pp6lh]

If you came here to hear any of Mike Post's actual theme songs, you came to the wrong place.

[@bobnelson9480]

Pay attention to where you are going and you won't end up in the wrong place.

[@tripbreaker]

That would get a copyright strike and the Geek would see no $$$.