Brian Fahey (composer)
Brian Fahey | |
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Born | |
Years active | 1938–1999 |
Brian Michael Fahey (25 April 1919 – 4 April 2007) was a British musical director, composer and arranger, best known for composing "At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal", the signature tune to BBC Radio's long running programme Pick of the Pops. From 1972 he was principal conductor of the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra, until it was disbanded in 1981.[1]
Biography
Fahey was born in
After the war, Fahey became a pianist with the Rudy Starita Band which, supported by
Fahey freelanced after 1959, working with recording companies, the BBC and in the theatre. His most famous piece, "At the Sign of the Swingin' Cymbal",[2] was first released in September 1960 under the name Brian Fahey and his Orchestra.[7] It was used as the theme tune for Pick of the Pops from 1961 to 1966, and again from 1970 until the present day.[8]
He provided scores for films such as The Break (1963), Curse of Simba (1965), The Plank (1967) and Rhubarb (1969), and the theme to Pete Murray's popular BBC Radio 2 show Open House. Between 1967 and 1972, he was Shirley Bassey's musical director.[2] In 1972, he became principal conductor of the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra.[2] Under his direction the orchestra did a lot of television work, accompanying Kenneth McKellar, Lena Martell, Moira Anderson, Shirley Bassey, Lulu, Lena Zavaroni and Anne Lorne Gillies. It also had its own BBC One programme, Make Way for Music. They recorded 'inserts' for the many music and chat shows on BBC Radio 2 and Radio Scotland, recording with artists including Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Carol Kidd and trombonist Don Lusher. Fahey continued to work for the BBC after the orchestra was disbanded in 1981.[3]
Personal life and death
Fahey was a close friend of
References
- ^ "Obituary: Brian Fahey". The Guardian. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ^ a b c "Brian Fahey". HeraldScotland.com. 20 April 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Brian Fahey | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Currie, Tony. Notes to Big Band Width: Test Card Classics, Chandos CD2001 (1997)" (PDF). Chandos.net. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Song: At the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal written by Brian Fahey". Secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "BBC Radio 2 – Pick of the Pops". BBC. Retrieved 26 August 2021.