"The Rockford Files" is a 1975 instrumental by Mike Post and co-composer Pete Carpenter. The song is the theme from the American detective drama TV series The Rockford Files, starring James Garner. It appears at the opening and ending of each episode with different arrangements. Throughout the show's tenure, the theme song went through numerous evolutions, with later versions containing a distinct electric guitar bridge section played by session guitarist Dan Ferguson.
The Instrumental features a blues harmonica solo, dobro guitar, an electric guitar solo heard in the bridges, plus a Minimoog synthesizer, heard in the refrains. This was one of the first popular song appearances for the synthesizer.
The song spent four months on the charts and in August 1975 became a Top 10 hit in the U.S. (#10, for two weeks) and in Canada (#8). It was also a Top 20 Adult Contemporary hit in both nations.
"The Rockford Files" won a 1975 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement.Knight, Judson. Mike Post — at eNotes.comPost and Carpenter — Grammy.com[
The B-side track (or "flip-side"), entitled "Dixie Lullabye", was also composed by Post and Carpenter.
"The Rockford Files" is also the music played when Tranmere Rovers F.C., a professional association football club in Birkenhead, England, enter the pitch for the opening half of a match.
Personnel Lead guitar, dobro — Dan Ferguson Guitar — Stephen Geyer Bass — Lyle Ritz Minimoog synthesizer — Mike Post Harmonica — Tommy Morgan Banjo — Herb Pedersen Drums — Jim Gordon Percussion — Gary Coleman
Chart history
Weekly charts Chart (1975/76) PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)90Canadian RPM Top Singles 8Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary8U.S. Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - 10U.S. Billboard Easy Listening16U.S. Cash Box Top 10010
Year-end charts Chart (1975)RankCanada Top Singles84U.S. Billboard Hot 100http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1975.htm Musicoutfitters.com85
References
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