Those would certainly be among the top two. I know this is generational but his Dr. Kildare, Barnaby Jones, and Man from U.N.C.L.E. themes were very popular as well. I would also add Patton.
When it comes to easy listening pop music in mainstream circles THE LOVE THEME FROM THE SAND PEBBLES-65 would be up there. Played in many variations often on stations in the 60's 70' s.
I remember years ago talking to a non-film music person about the music from STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE. I can distinctly recall the person saying "John Williams did that, right? John Williams is awesome!"
I remember years ago talking to a non-film music person once about the music from STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE. I can distinctly recall the person saying "John Williams did that, right?"
I doubt there's any general "public" awareness of Goldsmith at all. If you asked them if they recognized a piece like Man From UNCLE, Star Trek TMP, Dr. Kildare or The Waltons, they'd say they recognize it but have no idea who composed it.
I remember years ago talking to a non-film music person once about the music from STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE. I can distinctly recall the person saying "John Williams did that, right?"
I doubt there's any general "public" awareness of Goldsmith at all. If you asked them if they recognized a piece like Man From UNCLE, Star Trek TMP, Dr. Kildare or The Waltons, they'd say they recognize it but have no idea who composed it.
True. But that would go for just about any theme in the public's consciousness. Almost everyone would recognize the themes from The Pink Panther, The Simpsons, Hawaii Five-O, or James Bond but would have absolutely no idea who wrote them. John Williams would be one of the few who has the stardom to have his themes associated with his name.
As someone who has spent the better part of nearly two decades trying to explain to regular folk what I do for a living and the kind of music I work with I can honestly and sadly say the majority of people have no idea who any of these amazing composers are. That said, the only two names that folks do recognize on occasion are John Williams and Danny Elfman. The rest could be mistaken as names of their accountants or insurance agents.
As someone who has spent the better part of 4 decades trying to explain what kind of music I like and collect...I concur with MV's results. I have a few non-soundtrack fan friends who know Ennio Morricone, but it's rare.
20 years ago you could get a glimmer of recognition to the names Max Steiner and Henry Mancini, but not today.
That's a personal fave of mine, but I don't know anyone outside of our soundtrack-loving circle who would even recognize that theme, much less know what film it comes from or the composer's name (for shame!).
I'd go so far as to suppose that even most Star Trek: The Next Generation fans don't know the name of the composer who penned the main theme or that it originated from the 1979 film, or that they would even consider it more than a mere nugget of trivia if they were told. Regardless, it's probably his most publicly-recognizable theme.
"Gremlins Rag" is one piece of film music my mom can identify in a heartbeat. Yeah, she probably couldn't tell you the composer, but a couple times I've played it for her on my iPod in the car, during a film music guessing game, and she IDed it within the first few notes.
I'm not familiar with Goldsmith's Waltons theme and I doubt many people outside of the US are either. I think Star Trek TMP/TNG theme is easily the most recognizable theme he's composed.
When people don't know the star trek theme, I usually tell them it's by the same composer that composed Jaws/Indiana Jones/Star Wars, but under a different pseudonym.
I'd think the best known composer is Ennio Morricone. I don't see why people who don't particularly like film music (& that's almost everyone!) should know the names of any composers. I don't have a clue what's in the top forty, & haven't done for the past 25 years, & I couldn't name a rap artist.
As someone who has spent the better part of nearly two decades trying to explain to regular folk what I do for a living and the kind of music I work with I can honestly and sadly say the majority of people have no idea who any of these amazing composers are. That said, the only two names that folks do recognize on occasion are John Williams and Danny Elfman. The rest could be mistaken as names of their accountants or insurance agents.
MV
Sobering but not at all surprised. People can relate to anything from country to rap. But orchestral background music? It's like your an alien with an extra appendage.
