Neal Hefti, dies at 85, composer of the iconic Batman theme

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 17 Oct 2008 12:44 pm

His son say's the Batman theme was his most difficult, and took over a month to assimilate.
"It got down to the blues with a funny guitar hook, the lowest common denominator and a fun groove".

They sure don't make em' like that any more!

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 17 Oct 2008 12:51 pm

I'm sorry to hear that. A true icon.
Mr. Hefti was also the composer of "L'il Darlin'"
a hit for the Count Basie Orchestra as well as an instrumental made beloved to steel players by Buddy Emmons (as well as alot of other music).
-John

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 17 Oct 2008 3:24 pm

Too bad...such a gifted arranger.
Check out his arrangement on Sinatra's cut of
"They Can't Take That Away From Me".

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 17 Oct 2008 3:25 pm

My favorite Neal Hefti tune is "Cute". Here's my little rendition of it (the tab for this is out on my web site):

Cute!

makes me wonder if any of his other songs would work on steel.

Greg

robert kramer · Post by **robert kramer** » 18 Oct 2008 6:40 am

New York Times Neal Hefti Obit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/arts/ ... ref=slogin

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 18 Oct 2008 9:00 am

I always thought his rendition of "Love for Sale" was the best ever. I can't imagine "Batman" being difficult for him in any way. Needless to say, my least liked song by him, by a wide margin.

Burr Oxley · Post by **Burr Oxley** » 20 Oct 2008 4:38 pm

Reading some biographical info about Neal Hefti, I was delighted to see that he was the arranger for one of my all-time favorite Big Band songs, Charlie Barnet's "Skyliner!"