The Boys question

[drakula63]

A question for all of those who are far more knowledgeable about such things than am I...

The Shadows wrote the music for the film The Boys in 1962. Was this the first instance of a 'pop group' writing the music for a feature film. If not, surely there can't have been many before it...???

Just wondering.

[GoldenStreet]

This perhaps doesn't quite qualify, as such, in this context, but Tommy Steele co-wrote with Lionel Bart and Mike Pratt numerous songs (if not all) for the 1957 film The Tommy Steele Story.

Bill

[Iain Purdon]

This isn't so much knowledge as dim and distant recollection.

I don't think the Shadows were commissioned to write the music for the film - although they certainly contributed - but more that Norrie Paramor sorted it out. He had already done the music for the movie "The Frightened City". The producer of the new film liked FBI and wanted to use it or something like it, so HB&B came up with The Boys which is sort of FBI Mk II. They also came up withe slow version Theme from the Boys and The Girls. Bill McGuffie, an old hand in the composer/arranger field, worked on "The Boys" too and contributed the number Sweet Dreams.

I know others will correct my recollections!

[neil2726]

Wasnt Sweet Dreams also known as Sweet September?

[drakula63]

I am sure that a vocal version of Sweet Dreams (Sweet September) was indeed recorded by several artists, including the Strangers (just before John Farrar joined Hank and Bruce to form MWF).

Anyway, however it came about, The Shads must have been the first (or one of the first) pop groups to write a theme tune especially for a film. I know there is an article on this in issue 37 of Shadsfax but, having looked, it is one of the few issues I don't have!!! Naturally!!!

[JimN]

Wasnt Sweet Dreams also known as Sweet September?

As far as I'm aware, every single version of the tune except the one by The Shadows - and this certainly includes any version by the composer (who after all, ought to know) - is entitled Sweet September.

Sweet Dreams might have been a provision title which was never corrected, or just a Chinese whispers effect.

[Fenderman]

Slightly off topic but if i remember correctly Norrie Paramour appears briefly in 'The Frightened City'? as a musician or something?

[UlrichS]

As far as I'm aware, every single version of the tune except the one by The Shadows - and this certainly includes any version by the composer (who after all, ought to know) - is entitled Sweet September.

Sweet Dreams might have been a provision title which was never corrected, or just a Chinese whispers effect.

Sweet September - Sweet Dreams.jpg

[George Geddes]

According to at least one John Barry biography, the Shadows were in the running to provide music for Dr. No, the first Bond movie. However, JB's known arranging abilities swung it in his favour...

George

[chronikman-ch]

I am sure that a vocal version of Sweet Dreams (Sweet September) was indeed recorded by several artists, including the Strangers (just before John Farrar joined Hank and Bruce to form MWF).

Anyway, however it came about, The Shads must have been the first (or one of the first) pop groups to write a theme tune especially for a film. I know there is an article on this in issue 37 of Shadsfax but, having looked, it is one of the few issues I don't have!!! Naturally!!!

A little help.....
hmr