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Randy Edelman

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Randy Edelman is an American musician, producer, and composer and conductor for film and television. He was born on 10 June 1947 in Paterson, New Jersey, grew up in Teaneck and studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He then worked in New York as a pianist in Broadway orchestras.

Music and breakthrough

His career began with albums and songs of his own. His first solo record, Randy Edelman, appeared in 1971, followed by, among others, Farewell Fairbanks in 1975 and If Love Is Real in 1977. Other artists recorded his songs, including The Carpenters, Barry Manilow, Dionne Warwick and Blood, Sweat & Tears. His own records found a small, loyal group of listeners in the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan. He then went to work in Los Angeles for TV and film. One of his first film scores was the one for Executive Action in 1973. In the mid-1980s he wrote the theme of the TV series MacGyver.

Influence

Edelman is best known for comedies. With the director Ivan Reitman he made, among others, Twins, Ghostbusters II and Kindergarten Cop. He also wrote music for Beethoven, My Cousin Vinny, The Last of the Mohicans, The Mask, Dragonheart and Gettysburg. His music combines orchestra and pop and is often reused in advertisements, trailers and at award ceremonies. He received two Golden Globe nominations and one for a BAFTA, twelve BMI awards and in 2004 an honorary doctorate.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to the theme of MacGyver and notice the recognisable melody that sets an atmosphere of adventure in a few seconds. Which instruments carry that melody?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists