If King Crimson Played the Batman TV Theme

#KingCrimson #Batman66
Batman TV Theme written by Neil Hefti
Arrangement by JB Anderton
Bass, guitar, keyboards and drum loop programming - JB Anderton
Batman '66 is a registered trademark of Greenway Productions/20th Century Fox. No infringement is intended.

[@jbanderton]

Wow! I had no idea there were that many Crimson fans out there! Thanks for the likes and the comments. To address the elephant (talk) in the room, yes, I realize that is a Hammond organ sound and not a Mellotron sound the keyboard is making. This version of the Batman theme I arranged and recorded was originally used as bumper music for my 1970s Batman podcast (bat77.libsyn.com), and after listening to it a few times, I thought it sounded a lot like the 73-74 Crimson line-up playing the tune. The editing of the Central Park concert film footage was an editing exercise for me, and I honestly wasn't expecting THIS MUCH reaction to it. But because of the reaction it's getting, I'm inching closer to reaching 1,000 subscribers at the time I'm leaving this comment. Thanks again, and I hope you will enjoy more of my strange content as the inspiration hits me.

[@daphnelawless9194]

It would have REALLY brought the house down to have that line played on violin...

[@edwardspencer3906]

I thought some of the footage was from 70-71, live TV performance of WOP.. played 4 piece... anyway, THANK YOU FOR POSTING!

[@duncanweller1]

We are legion.

[@johndutrey6105]

Nicr

[@mikereiss4216]

There are a lot of KC fans out there. They have one of the most loyal followings in rock.

[@Mythriak_]

Fripp would deconstruct this song to oblivion until you'd barely recognize it... And then play it in a way that we'd all love

[@paolocoletti1574]

Sounds like easy predictable basic boring same old KC 101.

[@johnskelley6710]

​@@paolocoletti1574I know right? Stick to your kiss records

[@paolocoletti1574]

@@johnskelley6710 is That who I am now 😄 you silly..

[@johnskelley6710]

@@paolocoletti1574 kiddin' sorry.

[@itookallthenames]

And then someone would write a thesis on it

[@AlmostEthical]

I laughed when "Fripp" started playing the riff. Batman in Aspic.

[@misterschubert3242]

Book of Baturdays...

[@ELPCOTILLION-SD1970]

21St Century Batman...

[@jordantrotz1781]

I am the night watch...

[@TheFlutecart]

Starless and Bat Signal Black...

[@merrillhess5626]

🤣😂😅

[@JeffMPalermo]

Nailed the Bruford snare.

[@glbwoodsbum2567]

First thing I noticed!!!

[@vfxtutswithdan1893]

@@glbwoodsbum2567 Me too!

[@David-iv6je]

Right?

[@billsteinly8105]

His first snare ever was an old tin milk maid bucket. It's worth a lot of money now.

[@chilirich]

The Bill Bruford Snare is kind of a legend isn't it...

[@timothymurphy2688]

I hope Fripp sees this and knows how much respect comes with it.

[@timothymurphy2688]

I have an idea for cat Woman too.

[@VuotoPneumaNN]

Knowing him, he’d be offended

[@walterevans2118]

@@VuotoPneumaNN I don’t think he would be….Seeing his podcasts with TOYAH he’s got a great sense of humour and doesn’t take life or himself too seriously 🙂🤪 lol

[@blueabattoir]

VuotoPneumaNN Then you don’t know him.

[@timothymurphy2688]

@@VuotoPneumaNN If you know this because you know him, then please offer him my apologies and my request may be considered withdrawn. Respectfully yours.

[@J.C.Tavares]

Holly Riff,Batman

[@jongilbertson2106]

That was in a pretty solid 4/4 time. King Crimson would have put the song in an odd meter, with drums and guitar playing different time signatures.

[@ColpoRosso]

King crimson has some really strong 4/4 songs though. Red, Vrooom, Elephant talk, Thela hun ginjeet. The "prog must use odd signatures" trope is not true. The true trope in prog is "prog can have many songs or parts of songs in odd meters"

[@misterschubert3242]

First thing I noticed. It was jarring...

[@thecandlemaker1329]

@@ColpoRosso But this was all in the same time throughout.

[@marzzz1]

Yes, KC did some 4/4 songs, but it was classic of them to play in an unusual meter. "So settle back to have some fun, and tap your foot in twenty one....!"

[@jonajon91]

80s crimson would have yeah.

[@EdwardBast]

For anyone who cares (or not), the footage is from a performance of "Easy Money" in New York's Central Park, summer of 1974.

[@korkenknopfus]

I care a lot. Thank you!

[@bennyscomin]

@@korkenknopfus Me too, because I was there, with no idea it would be the last show from this Crimson

[@korkenknopfus]

@@bennyscomin that is amazing. For my side, zero possibilities to be there: in 1974 I was two years old and was at almost 8.300 km from there.

[@bennyscomin]

@@korkenknopfus Well, don't feel bad.........the "Red" album was about to be released that autumn and tour dates were announced for that November........having cut school to be one of the 1st on line for tickets, hearts sank left and right when the ticket agent announced the tour had been cancelled........

[@johnhoran9840]

Before Fripp pulled the plug, they had actually gotten Ian McDonald back into the band to replace the recently departed David Cross. Shame we never got to see where they could have gone.@@bennyscomin

[@1ouncebird]

After the weirdness of hearing this - then comes that fabulous photo of King Crimson with the Batman live on stage just jamming it out. Awesome! And fricking strange.

[@isomeme]

I think you mean "Fripping". 🙃

[@1ouncebird]

@@isomeme Yes, you are right. Fripping!

[@outdoorfreedom9778]

In 68 I was in the Army and stationed in Missouri. I hung in St Louis and Chicago and was introduced to different types of music, a lot of groups with a Jazz background. I remember friends thought I was nuts when I came home to Calif. with LPs from groups not heard of here. King Crimson was just one of them.

[@MontyRoyal963]

Red is my favorite King Crimson album 👍😎👍

[@shawnmcvey7789]

Red might be my favorite album ever. But the Live in Asbury Park show from that lineup's last tour is a definitely my favorite live album.

[@misterschubert3242]

I'd have to agree, but I'm also very fond of LTIA and Discipline...Red just edges 'em out...

[@CODMarioWarfare]

Why does this go so hard holy shit

[@timothymurphy2688]

Sunday Lunch! Please!

[@JamesJones-zt2yx]

Surely Fripp would add polyrhythm to it.

[@MarceloKatayama]

Not necessarily, as this is done in the style of 74 crimson. Fripp still used polyrhythms then, but he really started doing them like crazy in the 80s.

[@blueabattoir]

Debbie Downer!

[@cameodamaneo]

@@MarceloKatayama That being said, it wasn't even really a Robert Fripp thing. It was more Adrian Belew

[@MarceloKatayama]

@@cameodamaneo Hmm... I'm not too sure about that. It typically is Fripp who plays the faster clean lines, like the one at the start of frame by frame, which I think is polyrhythmic. I say it is mostly Fripp rather than Belew because Fripp wanted to use polyrhythms and polymeters since he was taking inspiration from Gamelan -which, from what I've heard, has multiple instruments working at different rhythms and tempos. Whichever the case, I think Bruford and Levin are really the ones who pushed the envelope when it comes to rhythm, so maybe the discussion was misdirected in the first place.

[@m1losk1]

great bass tone

[@NotPeteMcCabe]

This is fantastic. As someone who loves both King Crimson and the Batman theme, congratulations to whoever did this. Outstanding work.

[@SteveJC]

Years ago I saw the John Paul Jones Band (Zep) opening for Fripp at the University of Buffalo. I knew Jone's tour manager at the time, and had backstage passes. But when Fripp was moving about, we had to leave the vicinity. Awesome show by both!! And YES there are a LOT of Crimson fans. My favorite pastime in college was to go to the muslc room at the student union, check out Court of the Crimson King, put on the headphones, spark up a doobie, and kick back! Leave the roach for the next one. That was 1973.

[@monte49]

T'was a crafty mind who made this.. And I'm here for it! Fun!

[@LONESTARINDIE]

Robert Fripp once hung out in my living room. We lived in Austin, & my ex husband was a bass player & somehow met him & got him to come over. I didn’t even know who King Crimson was. He was a very nice guy.

[@LONESTARINDIE]

I also met the drummer of Mr. Mister, Pat Mastelotto, went to his home in Austin, his family was very nice. He had a so many different drum kits it was unbelievable. He also had a bunch of cool mannequins all over his house. It was way cool, I was only like 21.

[@johnbridgman4310]

Every so often KZbin coughs up something wonderful. Thank you !!! I can't get over how young all the band members are in the video... didn't get a chance to see KC until they were touring Three of a Perfect Pair.

[@jaminova_1969]

This is what Prince should have done for Warner Bros! Batdance my foot!

[@exeromusic]

Just noticed that the chord prog was the blues chord progression. Smart, KC would use that

[@madcyril4135]

From u.k. Massive Crim fan here from day one! Fantastic job pal! Put a big smile on my face!

[@michaelrichards491]

Awesome! It is now my favourite TV them of all time.

[@markharper3043]

I saw Roger Waters many years ago in Tampa at an outdoor venue sitting on a hill. Booming from the speakers as we waited for the concert was The Court of the Crimson King. It was 20 years ago, but the first time I ever heard that song. It’s still what I remember most from that day. What an incredible song.

[@marcrehula]

I've always wanted to hear mid-70s KC perform the theme to the old Perry Mason show - it sounds great in my head

[@ErrollBrantley-pe6eu]

Fripp was killing it! Teens with autographed napkins for sure! I'd like to hear yes play the Batman theme.

[@TheRealRonMoses]

low key brilliant

[@FusionHowie]

Holy awesomeness Batman ! This is kick ass !

[@atlanteum]

Love these kinda genre mash-ups! Thank You!

[@davidhoffman8122]

I am a King Crimson fan and this version is DARK and ominous. I love it!

[@BoBo0807]

You need David Cross playing the horn parts, when the Dynamic Duo are hitting the bad guys, on violin.

[@Kaptain13Gonzo]

I'll bite. Good job. I can see this as a King Crimson bit. Good for a laugh. Well played - in all it's meanings.

[@gurgisjones1120]

There's something beautifully perfect in combining Fripp and Batman.

[@dougphillips7194]

I saw mr fripp in a basement of stiff records in Cleveland hts Ohio. A great show 78 or 79 or 80. I think 🎸

[@inferno_slayer]

What a fun video and post thanks for making it

[@Aspartamebraintumor]

0:44 love the mellotron loaded with the hammond B3 tapes

[@dougalexander7204]

Holy King Crimson. I like it.

[@edwardspencer3906]

Wake of Poseidon.. bought it the day it came out and it's STILL one of my favorite pieces of Music! Always loved Fripps quirky humor underlying everything...

[@timothymurphy2688]

Robert and Toyah Sunday Lunch!!!!!!

[@misterschubert3242]

Now I want to see her as Catwoman...

[@blueabattoir]

misterschubert3242 Stop putting your filthy ideas in my head.

[@portarobbie]

This is the cure for a hangover!

[@Ebbywebby]

The keyboard sound should have been Mellotron. :)

[@serialartistry]

that bass tone is a dead ringer for Wetton

[@MarceloKatayama]

I think Fripp would have played the theme in a more angular style- perhaps playing all of it in somewhat crunchy augmented and altered chords by alt-picking, or something like that. Cross would have certainly use somewhat spicier chords (and the sample would have been the pianet) As for Wetton and Bruford, not many comments, except I feel Wetton would have done a few bass fills here and there. Do not let these comments distract you from the fact that this is very well done and I loved this video. Would love to see more parodies like this!

[@sadie376]

Wouldn't it go on for a bit longer if King Crimson really did it?!?

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

If KC tours again, it's a crime if they don't play this. Well done.

[@YooLookMarvelous]

I learned something new: Neil Hefti wrote the Batman tv theme. I've always had a soft spot for that show. I love high camp!

[@mattmorris5001]

these are two of my favorite things! awesome!

[@DennnisTheGreat]

Far out! man! nuff said.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

I now wonder about Family doing the Batman theme - unleash the vibraphone!

[@bustedfender]

Pingy Bruford snare front & centre. Good job 🤪

[@gilwood7530]

I always knew I needed this in my life

[@IusedtohaveausernameIliked]

Awesome. I didn't know I needed that.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I salute you.

[@pedrogonzalez2619]

The very best version Neal Hefti & his Orchestra and Chorus, King Crimson version is amazing I like it too much and The Jam version so so🙌Ty

[@tonybonnici5920]

This is freakin' great...

[@kerrytyk111]

Nicely synced to the video of them playing haha

[@HiddenTreasure-xj7yt]

Great Scott!

[@wildbill7081]

Damn I loved this and love Fripp and King Crimson

[@martinhiggs7027]

I need a DEVO version and a CRAMPS Munsters intro with Brian Gregory supporting Ivy's ACID-SURF guitar work !

[@brianhudak5103]

Are you my spirit animal?

[@QuicksilverSG]

That's effin awesome!

[@robbocat7643]

Absolutely legendary man

[@vidalaac]

Brilliant! I am sure Toyah will find this and show to Robert!

[@Behavioralpathy]

🎉: Most interesting thanks for sharing this constructive information! Cheers!

[@richardweidner1625]

perfect

[@KJensenStudio]

This!! Was amazing.

[@racker9999]

Most excellent, Batman!

[@user-xe3re6dj6j]

Awesome!

[@textnotepro]

that was amazing - very well done JB

[@blueabattoir]

That was fun. Thanks for posting and you did a great job!

[@cz6774]

That was fantastic.

[@eddo4148]

I thought it would be just you recording yourself playing the instruments but this is much better

[@Meme_Lor]

Now do a versiom with the 80s lineup, there peak

[@steverickenbacher7110]

No way. LOL. You just saw their peak.

[@Meme_Lor]

​@@steverickenbacher7110 ok but Adrian Belew

[@steverickenbacher7110]

Ok, but John Wetton and David Cross.@@Meme_Lor

[@key-chain]

Tony Levin

[@steverickenbacher7110]

John Wetton. That era of KC was so far ahead of its time that we still haven't caught up. And before you get too crazy, nearly 2/3rds of KC fans agree with me.@@key-chain

[@markrandle4368]

The Who was actually hired & recorded the theme, but the producers wanted a more recognizable name. So Nelson Riddle was hired. The Who's version is on "A Quick One Deluxe edition."

[@egold3733]

it's just perfect

[@chandrar.3101]

That was brilliant.

[@csharpbnatural]

Finally!!! Something “really worth watching/listening to” on this platform!!! Long Live MUSIC…with no lyrics!

[@DonoVideoProductions]

This. Is. Epic.

[@ColpoRosso]

Damn, it's totally crimson. Good job.

[@samuelnerick]

So nice dude, i just love Bruford's drum sounds. This is sick 🎸🥁

[@JosephRGrych]

I love King Crimson. Thanks--that was awesome!

[@SherbrookeBassFamily]

Bravo. Very nice work.

[@johnkemker7784]

Somebody PLEASE send this to Toyah and Robert! I'd love to see this on one of their Sunday Brunch videos!

[@nigelstansfield1644]

Toyah

[@johnkemker7784]

@@nigelstansfield1644 You're right. I had brain flatulence.

[@claudiogriguol8195]

Very goooooodddddd

[@vanveeen]

Gotta love how the bat-garage looks exactly like the recording studio of a progressive rock band in 1972.

[@markwest1963]

I like this version just fine

[@mecongberlin]

Brilliant. That’s my new ringtone from now on.

[@Czyszy]

The era of King Crimson this arrangement is trying to replicate never used a Hammond organ from what I remember :v

[@EOdesigns]

Thank you. I'm not expecting anything, but love the wealth of beautiful art this competition inspired. Results will be in March.

[@wilkinsnl]

Awesome

[@dudovich13]

RIP John Wetton AND Boz Burrell.

[@BaldPerspective]

Pretty sweet crossover

[@nonaeubinis4934]

Nice!

[@TimJackson-eq6iy]

Brilliant.

[@planetmarin]

just great

[@randlerobbertson8792]

Unbelievable......

[@koshersalaami]

This is great. I think Fripp would appreciate it.

[@danielh.tamura8405]

When the Poison Ivy's toxins hit

[@josephlynch3746]

FuuuuucKah, JB Anderton!!!!!! Great 📫, Brother!!! 😮:)*

[@joekapp5471]

The Batman TV theme only had one lyric, so it’s perfect for king crimson.

[@fishtrousers]

That was clever, nice work, dude! Usually KC are pretty quick at removing YT vids but I hope The Mighty Fripp sees the fun of this and lets it stay; the respect is obvious.