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{{Short description|English composer (1908–1966)}}
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{{Refimprove|date=August 2020}}
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'''Eric Spear''' (18 April 1908 – 3 November 1966) was an English [[composer]] of [[Film score|film music]] most noted for writing the theme tune to the ITV soap opera ''[[Coronation Street]]''. He was born in [[Croydon]] and died in [[Southampton]]. Spear participated in the 1953 film ''[[Streets of Shadow]]''. His theme for the 1954 movie ''[[Meet Mr. Callaghan]]'' was rendered as a best-selling record by [[Les Paul]]. He wrote music and lyrics for the 1959 musical ''Kookaburra'' which played at the [[Princes Theatre]]. For a short time in the 1960s, Spear lived in [[Guernsey]].
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{{More citations needed|date=August 2020}}
{{infobox musical artist
| name = Eric Spear
| birth_place =[[Croydon]], England, United Kingdom
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1908|4|18}}
| death_place = [[Southampton]], England, United Kingdom
| death_date = {{death date and age|1966|11|3|1908|4|18|df=y}}
| occupation = Composer, classical musician
|genre = Film and television themes
}}
'''Eric Spear''' (18 April 1908 – 3 November 1966) was an English composer best known for his [[film score]]s and the theme of the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[soap opera]] ''[[Coronation Street]]''.


==Early life and career==
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== Coronation Street theme tune ==
⚫
Spear was born in [[Croydon]] in 1908. He participated in the 1953 film ''[[Street of Shadows (1953 film)|Street of Shadows]]'', and his theme for the 1954 movie ''[[Meet Mr. Callaghan]]'' was rendered as a best-selling record by [[Les Paul]]. He also wrote music and lyrics for the 1959 musical ''Kookaburra'', which played at the [[Princes Theatre]]. Spear wrote the theme tune to Coronation Street in his Finchley home, until he moved away in 1959. For a short time in the 1960s, Spear lived in [[Guernsey]].
Spear is best known for composing the original [[Theme music|theme tune]] for the [[United Kingdom|UK]]'s longest-running television [[soap opera]], ''[[Coronation Street#Theme music|Coronation Street]]'', for which he was paid £6. The theme, originally entitled "Lancashire Blues" was commissioned by Peter Taylor, at [[De Wolfe Music]], for a new television soap opera called "Florizel Street". The name of the serial was changed to "Coronation Street" because cast member [[William Roache]] ([[Ken Barlow]]) could not pronounce the title and because it was felt that the name bore a resemblance to Zoflora, a popular floral concentrated disinfectant.{{cn|date=April 2020}}


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== ''Coronation Street'' theme tune ==
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The cornet player Ronnie Hunt (playing ''trumpet'' on the recording) found the recording session frustrating, as Spear insisted on many takes before obtaining the sound that he wanted. For most of the programme's 50-year run since 1960, the theme tune has only been modified by converting it to [[stereo]].{{cn|date=April 2020}} Since 31 May 2010, a new version has replaced the original arrangement coinciding with the programme's shift to HDTV with new opening titles. The new version has been criticised by many viewers as lacking the atmospheric quality of the original. The commercial break 'motif' to the 'End of Part 1' card was also replaced by a newer, less substantial version. The new version of the theme also differs by being less strident than the original with less of an orchestral sound, and having a shorter closing section which is often 'squashed' by the voice-over announcing the upcoming programme menu across ITV's channels.
In 1954, Spear was commissioned to write the theme tune to ''[[The Grove Family]]'', a BBC series that ran for three years, which is generally regarded as the UK's first real [[soap opera]].<ref>IMDb</ref> The series is now forgotten, but it led to another commission six years later by rival channel [[Granada Television]]. The theme, originally entitled "Lancashire Blues", was commissioned by Peter Taylor at [[De Wolfe Music]] for a new television soap opera called ''Florizel Street''. Spear was paid £6 for the task (£136.54 in 2024). However, the name of the serial was changed to ''Coronation Street'', because cast member [[William Roache]] ([[Ken Barlow]]) could not pronounce the title, and because it was felt that the name bore a resemblance to [[Thornton & Ross|Zoflora]], a popular floral concentrated disinfectant.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tony-warren-9b5mc30jn|accessdate=14 December 2023|work=[[The Times]]|title=OBITUARY: Tony Warren Writer and creator of Coronation Street who was inspired by his boyhood in Lancashire}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/weird-news/watch-dog-singing-coronation-street-7130886 |accessdate=14 December 2023|work=[[Irish Mirror]]|first=Katie|last=Fitzpatrick|title=Watch dog 'singing' Coronation Street theme tune in viral video posted by its devoted Corrie fan owner}}</ref> Although originally scheduled to run for just six weeks, ''[[Coronation Street#Theme music|Coronation Street]]'' went on to become the world's longest-running television soap opera, and Roache as the longest-serving soap actor in the world.


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The cornet player Ronnie Hunt (playing trumpet on the recording) found the recording session frustrating, as Spear insisted on many takes before obtaining the sound that he wanted. For most of the programme's run since 1960, the theme tune has only been modified by converting it to [[stereo]].{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} Since 31 May 2010, a new version has replaced the original arrangement, coinciding with the programme's shift to [[High-definition television|HDTV]] with new opening titles. The new version has been criticised by many viewers as lacking the atmospheric quality of the original. The commercial break 'motif' to the 'End of Part 1' card was also replaced by a newer, less substantial version. The new version of the theme also differs by being less strident than the original, with less of an orchestral sound, and having a shorter closing section, which is occasionally 'squashed' by the voice-over announcing the upcoming programme menu across ITV's channels.
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Until ITV celebrated forty years of broadcasting (in 1995), the original recording of the theme had never been issued commercially. It was released as the b-side to a double A-sided single "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life" by Coronation Street Cast, and "Something Stupid" by Amanda Barrie and Johnny Briggs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Coronation-Street-Cast-The-Coronation-Street-Single/release/3812225|title=The Coronation Street Cast - The Coronation Street Single|website=Discogs.com|accessdate=9 August 2020}}</ref> The single made the Top 40 in the [[UK Singles Chart]], making number 35.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19951210/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 &#124; Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|accessdate=9 August 2020}}</ref> However, a faithful cover version by Geoff Love and his Orchestra was released as a single on the Embassy label in April 1962, which was also included on an EP of television themes. EMI's release of the original recording in 2005 includes the theme's solo trumpet introductory bar, which has never been heard on the serial.

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Until ITV celebrated forty years of broadcasting (in 1995), the original recording of the theme had never been issued commercially. It was released as the b-side to a double A-side single, "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]" by the Coronation Street Cast, coupled with "[[Somethin' Stupid|Something Stupid]]" by [[Amanda Barrie]] and [[Johnny Briggs (actor)|Johnny Briggs]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/The-Coronation-Street-Cast-The-Coronation-Street-Single/release/3812225|title=The Coronation Street Cast - The Coronation Street Single|website=Discogs.com|date=3 October 1995 |accessdate=9 August 2020}}</ref> The single reached the Top 40 in the [[UK Singles Chart]], making number 35.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19951210/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 &#124; Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|accessdate=9 August 2020}}</ref>

However, a faithful cover version by [[Geoff Love]] and his Orchestra was released as a single in April 1961, and reached No. 27 on the [[NME]] Singles Chart.<ref>{{Cite news|date=5 May 1961|title=NME Music Charts|work=[[New Musical Express]]}}</ref> A budget cover version by James Wright (a pseudonym for Gordon Franks) and his Orchestra was released on the [[Embassy Records|Embassy]] label in April 1962, which was also included on a 1965 LP, ''Top TV Themes''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Singles Discography for Embassy Records - UK|url=http://www.globaldogproductions.info/e/embassy-uk.html|access-date=2021-08-06|website=www.globaldogproductions.info}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=UK EMBASSY (Woolworth label) LP / Album Discography, 1959-1965, by RECORD INFORMATION SERVICES|url=https://www.record-information-services.info/uk_labels_discography/LPs/e-k/embassy_LPs.html|access-date=2021-08-06|website=www.record-information-services.info}}</ref>

[[EMI]]'s release of the original recording in 2005 includes the theme's solo trumpet introductory bar, which has never been heard on the serial.

== Personal life and death ==
Spear died in [[Southampton]], [[Hampshire]], on 3 November 1966.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eric Spear|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9fdbaf79|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504120857/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9fdbaf79|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 May 2016|access-date=2021-08-06|website=BFI|language=en}}</ref> He was 58 years old.


==Selected filmography==
==Selected filmography==
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* ''[[Men Against the Sun]]'' (1952)
* ''[[Men Against the Sun]]'' (1952)
* ''[[Counterspy (film)|Counterspy]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Counterspy (film)|Counterspy]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Street of Shadows (1953 film)|Street of Shadows]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Small Town Story (film)|Small Town Story]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Small Town Story (film)|Small Town Story]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Bang! You're Dead]]'' (1954)
* ''[[Bang! You're Dead]]'' (1954)
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDB name|0817297}}
*{{IMDb name|0817297}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1966 deaths]]
[[Category:1966 deaths]]
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[[Category:20th-century British male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century classical musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century classical musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century British composers]]
[[Category:20th-century English composers]]
[[Category:20th-century English musicians]]
[[Category:Coronation Street]]
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[[Category:English composers]]
[[Category:English television composers]]
[[Category:English television composers]]
[[Category:English male composers]]
[[Category:English male composers]]
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[[Category:Composers from London]]
[[Category:People from Croydon]]
[[Category:People from Croydon]]
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[[Category:20th-century British male musicians]]

Revision as of 11:12, 19 April 2024

Eric Spear
Born(1908-04-18)18 April 1908
Croydon, England, United Kingdom
Died3 November 1966(1966-11-03) (aged 58)
Southampton, England, United Kingdom
GenresFilm and television themes
Occupation(s)Composer, classical musician

Eric Spear (18 April 1908 – 3 November 1966) was an English composer best known for his film scores and the theme of the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.

Early life and career

Spear was born in Croydon in 1908. He participated in the 1953 film Street of Shadows, and his theme for the 1954 movie Meet Mr. Callaghan was rendered as a best-selling record by Les Paul. He also wrote music and lyrics for the 1959 musical Kookaburra, which played at the Princes Theatre. Spear wrote the theme tune to Coronation Street in his Finchley home, until he moved away in 1959. For a short time in the 1960s, Spear lived in Guernsey.

Coronation Street theme tune

In 1954, Spear was commissioned to write the theme tune to The Grove Family, a BBC series that ran for three years, which is generally regarded as the UK's first real soap opera.[1] The series is now forgotten, but it led to another commission six years later by rival channel Granada Television. The theme, originally entitled "Lancashire Blues", was commissioned by Peter Taylor at De Wolfe Music for a new television soap opera called Florizel Street. Spear was paid £6 for the task (£136.54 in 2024). However, the name of the serial was changed to Coronation Street, because cast member William Roache (Ken Barlow) could not pronounce the title, and because it was felt that the name bore a resemblance to Zoflora, a popular floral concentrated disinfectant.[2][3] Although originally scheduled to run for just six weeks, Coronation Street went on to become the world's longest-running television soap opera, and Roache as the longest-serving soap actor in the world.

The cornet player Ronnie Hunt (playing trumpet on the recording) found the recording session frustrating, as Spear insisted on many takes before obtaining the sound that he wanted. For most of the programme's run since 1960, the theme tune has only been modified by converting it to stereo.[citation needed] Since 31 May 2010, a new version has replaced the original arrangement, coinciding with the programme's shift to HDTV with new opening titles. The new version has been criticised by many viewers as lacking the atmospheric quality of the original. The commercial break 'motif' to the 'End of Part 1' card was also replaced by a newer, less substantial version. The new version of the theme also differs by being less strident than the original, with less of an orchestral sound, and having a shorter closing section, which is occasionally 'squashed' by the voice-over announcing the upcoming programme menu across ITV's channels.

Until ITV celebrated forty years of broadcasting (in 1995), the original recording of the theme had never been issued commercially. It was released as the b-side to a double A-side single, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" by the Coronation Street Cast, coupled with "Something Stupid" by Amanda Barrie and Johnny Briggs.[4] The single reached the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart, making number 35.[5]

However, a faithful cover version by Geoff Love and his Orchestra was released as a single in April 1961, and reached No. 27 on the NME Singles Chart.[6] A budget cover version by James Wright (a pseudonym for Gordon Franks) and his Orchestra was released on the Embassy label in April 1962, which was also included on a 1965 LP, Top TV Themes.[7][8]

EMI's release of the original recording in 2005 includes the theme's solo trumpet introductory bar, which has never been heard on the serial.

Personal life and death

Spear died in Southampton, Hampshire, on 3 November 1966.[9] He was 58 years old.

Selected filmography

See also

References

  1. ^ IMDb
  2. ^ "OBITUARY: Tony Warren Writer and creator of Coronation Street who was inspired by his boyhood in Lancashire". The Times. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  3. ^ Fitzpatrick, Katie. "Watch dog 'singing' Coronation Street theme tune in viral video posted by its devoted Corrie fan owner". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  4. ^ "The Coronation Street Cast - The Coronation Street Single". Discogs.com. 3 October 1995. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  6. ^ "NME Music Charts". New Musical Express. 5 May 1961.
  7. ^ "Singles Discography for Embassy Records - UK". www.globaldogproductions.info. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  8. ^ "UK EMBASSY (Woolworth label) LP / Album Discography, 1959-1965, by RECORD INFORMATION SERVICES". www.record-information-services.info. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Eric Spear". BFI. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
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