Listening in August, 2021 for the first time. This sounds so contemporary, it's hard for me to believe it was recorded 54 years ago. Then again, we're talking about Mr. Martin, so it is so him, so avant-garde, so actual. Thank you for uploading this!
The progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator with Pete Hammill covered this instrumental masterfully. This original version by George Martin is also a stunning piece of work.
I know the version of the Van der Graaf Generator and I knew that Sir George Martin had written it, but I did not know his version.Here in Italy it did not arrive.Great man and musician.
Thank you very much for uploading this! It really brings back memories to me of listening to Radio 1 start back in the 1970's when I used to get up just before 5:30am to get ready for School. I remember a series of 'pips' on 247 metres MW just before about 5:25, then Theme One starting. It was so ahead of its time, and the phased sound used throughout the tune added a really 'fizzy' synthesiser feel to the theme. Wonderful to hear this song after so many years.
The 'pips' were known as 'bing tone' and were played throughout the night while the station was off the air to save the transmitters from throwing a failure alarm. The Greenwich Time Signal pips were only available on the hour, quarter after, half past and quarter to.
I to remember the "pips" before the radio suddenly burst out this fabulous tune. Used to wake me up if I was kipping in the car, and left the radio turned on overnight. I think the intermittent pips were to check that all transmitters across the UK were sending out a good signal prior to transmission of Radio 1.
I’m besotted with this instrumental! Absolutely love it and it’s become especially poignant since the untimely death of the wonderful, brilliant DJ and presenter, Steve Wright. It’s a pioneering tune and so innovative, just like Steve’s “zoo radio” style. Steve was a of course a morning DJ on BBC radio one as well working as a DJ on Radio Two. I (along with a Google-plex amount of listeners) will miss him so much. Rest in peace, Wrighty….thanks for all the brilliant fun, the zany guests and the laughter ❤️🙏
Like all those before me I would like to thank you immensely for posting this absolute classic! I too have various memories of this from the dawn of Radio One in 1967, through to the early seventies when I would be fishing in Gloucester docks from four in the morning, waiting for Radio One to start up and wallowing in the dawn and this classic tune! I too can remember accompanying my dad in his milk float and hearing it as we delivered the milk around Gloucester. Great days. George Martin is an underrated classical genius.
Another thank you for putting this up and also for providing the stereo version. Others here have posted up the same piece in Mono which totally misses the point. The stereo effect shows George Martin's pioneering phase-shifting techniques that if not invented by him was certainly perfected by him on this recording applied to what sounds like a Cathedral Organ (pipe) but was probably a synth. Marvellous to hear it again.
In fact the Friday Rock Show theme was 'Take it from the Top' by the Dixie Dregs. Several versions, including the one Tommy used for the show, are here on UA-cam !
Hi Marcus.... I've just noticed your posting. I don't know if it helps but I've still got my LP with "Theme One" on it. It may be the same one that you had...... It's called "BY GEORGE!". The LP is on the "Sunset" label and its catalogue number is "SLS 50182" (Released: 1968). All tracks are by George Martin and his Orchestra, starting with "Theme One" as Track 1 (complete with footsteps!). The album cover colour is predominately orange. Other tracks are "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", "Alfie", I Am The Walrus", "To Sir With Love" and 7 others. An excellent LP all round. I hope this helps..... Keith...... :)
Great piece of music, great bit of modulation in the final bars...what do you expect from one of greatest producers of all time. Did he compose anything else?
Hi Dave I have done a few checks on it and it appears to be a combination of three tones one at just under 500Hz another at 700Hz and another slightly lower in volume at 1KHz so not a true representation of a Greenwich Time Signal pip which has a single frequency of 1Khz. So a bit of a mystery why it is there, perhaps George if he was thinking GTS pip and it was very low in volume being right at the end, that this sounded better. Guess we'll never know.
@@dippey Wow I'm impressed by your diligence David.. thanks for taking the time to look into it. Now I listen again its harder to make out, strangely when I first listened it really seemed quite distinct! Odd. (Edit: Ive realised why now, its much more distinct in the 'electronic version' that's up on here).
Another curiosity inspired question .. What is being used to create that very specific flange like 'whip' sound at the beginning of the electronic version.. any ideas? Or is it just treated cymbals which is i assume whats used in the original version?
Dave are you referring to this version which is the original version (usually used minus steps and door closing etc) or the later more orchestral re-recording by George Martin from the seventies ? and is the specific effect you here right at the very beginning or so many seconds in ?
Without a shadow of a doubt the best jingle EVER recorded for a radio station..
I am hearing for the first time in June 2023. I am completely besotted with this theme music. Stunning.
Da pelle d'oca fantastica grazie giorge😢
Listening in August, 2021 for the first time. This sounds so contemporary, it's hard for me to believe it was recorded 54 years ago. Then again, we're talking about Mr. Martin, so it is so him, so avant-garde, so actual. Thank you for uploading this!
Now that’s how to open a radio station!
Just awesome ❤❤❤❤
The progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator with Pete Hammill covered this instrumental masterfully.
This original version by George Martin is also a stunning piece of work.
Oh, shivers! What a beautiful piece of music - thanks for the reminder - God bless George Martin - what a man!
I know the version of the Van der Graaf Generator and I knew that Sir George Martin had written it, but I did not know his version.Here in Italy it did not arrive.Great man and musician.
Even more excellent after 5 listens!!!
Thank you very much for uploading this! It really brings back memories to me of listening to Radio 1 start back in the 1970's when I used to get up just before 5:30am to get ready for School. I remember a series of 'pips' on 247 metres MW just before about 5:25, then Theme One starting. It was so ahead of its time, and the phased sound used throughout the tune added a really 'fizzy' synthesiser feel to the theme. Wonderful to hear this song after so many years.
The 'pips' were known as 'bing tone' and were played throughout the night while the station was off the air to save the transmitters from throwing a failure alarm. The Greenwich Time Signal pips were only available on the hour, quarter after, half past and quarter to.
I to remember the "pips" before the radio suddenly burst out this fabulous tune. Used to wake me up if I was kipping in the car, and left the radio turned on overnight. I think the intermittent pips were to check that all transmitters across the UK were sending out a good signal prior to transmission of Radio 1.
inspiring piece of music with pipe organ I recall having the single in March 1972
I’m besotted with this instrumental! Absolutely love it and it’s become especially poignant since the untimely death of the wonderful, brilliant DJ and presenter, Steve Wright. It’s a pioneering tune and so innovative, just like Steve’s “zoo radio” style. Steve was a of course a morning DJ on BBC radio one as well working as a DJ on Radio Two. I (along with a Google-plex amount of listeners) will miss him so much. Rest in peace, Wrighty….thanks for all the brilliant fun, the zany guests and the laughter ❤️🙏
I can still remember the great Tommie Vance using this on the Friday rock show.
Tommy actually used 'Take it off the Top' by the Dixie Dregs as his theme but there is a certain similarity !
Like all those before me I would like to thank you immensely for posting this absolute classic! I too have various memories of this from the dawn of Radio One in 1967, through to the early seventies when I would be fishing in Gloucester docks from four in the morning, waiting for Radio One to start up and wallowing in the dawn and this classic tune! I too can remember accompanying my dad in his milk float and hearing it as we delivered the milk around Gloucester. Great days. George Martin is an underrated classical genius.
Another thank you for putting this up and also for providing the stereo version. Others here have posted up the same piece in Mono which totally misses the point. The stereo effect shows George Martin's pioneering phase-shifting techniques that if not invented by him was certainly perfected by him on this recording applied to what sounds like a Cathedral Organ (pipe) but was probably a synth. Marvellous to hear it again.
This was recorded in 1967. Synths were mostly laboratory curiosities at the time. It was, in fact, a pipe organ, plus an orchestra.
Indeed - the enormous Hill, Norman and Beard pipe organ at the Central Hall, Westminster.
I never realised that it was on United Artists! I always assumed that it would have been on Parlophone!!
Excellent!
BBC Radio One, Friday Night Rock Show with Tommy Vance.
In fact the Friday Rock Show theme was 'Take it from the Top' by the Dixie Dregs. Several versions, including the one Tommy used for the show, are here on UA-cam !
Thank you!
Yes, you've got to have the footsteps.... I had this on an LP, but cannot for the life of me remember the title.
I suspect it was this: www.discogs.com/George-Martin-And-His-Orchestra-British-Maid/release/5734013
Hi Marcus.... I've just noticed your posting. I don't know if it helps but I've still got my LP with "Theme One" on it. It may be the same one that you had...... It's called "BY GEORGE!". The LP is on the "Sunset" label and its catalogue number is "SLS 50182" (Released: 1968). All tracks are by George Martin and his Orchestra, starting with "Theme One" as Track 1 (complete with footsteps!). The album cover colour is predominately orange. Other tracks are "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", "Alfie", I Am The Walrus", "To Sir With Love" and 7 others. An excellent LP all round. I hope this helps..... Keith...... :)
Yes that's the one, great LP.
@@MarcusTomatos Thanks for the reply Marcus. I had a feeling it was that LP. Glad to be of assistance... :)
Tonight on Sounds of the Seventies we've got a session from The Undertones and a new album from The Incredible String Band
Great piece of music, great bit of modulation in the final bars...what do you expect from one of greatest producers of all time. Did he compose anything else?
I also have a clean copy but without the intro yet it has the same number as yours UP 1194. Strange isn't ?
Buggernation street
U on waccy baccy?😄😄😄😄
Are you sure on the background who played the Drums, Bass, and Guitar were not John Paul George and Ringo? The sond and style to play is very similar
The drum style sounds very similar to parts of “Strawberry Fields Forever “…..
At the very end is that a simulated greenwich pip i hear??!
Hi Dave
I have done a few checks on it and it appears to be a combination of three tones one at just under 500Hz another at 700Hz and another slightly lower in volume at 1KHz so not a true representation of a Greenwich Time Signal pip which has a single frequency of 1Khz.
So a bit of a mystery why it is there, perhaps George if he was thinking GTS pip and it was very low in volume being right at the end, that this sounded better. Guess we'll never know.
@@dippey Wow I'm impressed by your diligence David.. thanks for taking the time to look into it. Now I listen again its harder to make out, strangely when I first listened it really seemed quite distinct! Odd. (Edit: Ive realised why now, its much more distinct in the 'electronic version' that's up on here).
Great but it lacks the excitement of Cozy Powells version.
Another curiosity inspired question .. What is being used to create that very specific flange like 'whip' sound at the beginning of the electronic version.. any ideas? Or is it just treated cymbals which is i assume whats used in the original version?
Dave are you referring to this version which is the original version (usually used minus steps and door closing etc) or the later more orchestral re-recording by George Martin from the seventies ? and is the specific effect you here right at the very beginning or so many seconds in ?
@@dippey On the electronic version from 9 seconds in..
Incredible stereo phasing