He was born in 1922. A jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger, he worked with talents as diverse as Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Harry James, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, and Frank Sinatra. He wrote theme and background music for motion pictures and television shows.
I can guarantee you've heard at least one of his compositions. The powerful, poignant lyrics go like this:
Batman!
Batman!
Batman!
Batman!
Batman, Batman, Batman!
Batman, Batman, Batman!
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na
Batman!
Yep, I'm talking about Neal Hefti, who passed away two years ago today at the age of 85.
Thanks for your time, fellow babies.
Powerful poignant lyrics indeed!lol
ReplyDeletelike me some batman...
ReplyDeleteYeah, but... The Batman theme is much of a muchness. You want to listen to Neal Hefti at his best, go listen to any Count Basie album in the '50s and '60s. And of course there's always Li'l Darlin'.
ReplyDelete@Candie: Nice to see you! Thanks for the visit.
ReplyDelete@Brian: Yeah, I had about 8,000,000 illustrations I could have added, but I didn't want to tip anybody off as to where I was going.
@Roy: Heh. I knew you'd check in on this one! I know you caught the tongue-in-cheek attitude of the post, but Hefti's Batman theme is one of those "If he'd done nothing else..." instances.
Thanks for the link, btw. It's been far too long since I've woken up to some good jazz. Made me want to add something strong to my morning coffee!
Of course, when I read "Little Darlin'," I was waiting for the castanets, cowbell and the "Yah, yah yah yah yahhh" intro...
Just kidding.
I love Batman. Something about the mask and cool car. Or is it the cape? ;)
ReplyDelete@Betsy: Gotta be the cape. I do much better with the ladies in my Batman and Zorro costumes than I do in my Lone Ranger costume!
ReplyDeleteI agree...there's just something about those capes! ;)
ReplyDeleteYep. That's why I always carry a spare.
ReplyDeleteDid not know this musician - at least not by name. Thanks for introducing me.
ReplyDeleteA spare...yeah, you never know when someone will keep it!
ReplyDeleteYep... Either as a souvenir, or just to keep them from shivering.
ReplyDeleteor both!
ReplyDeleteTrue! Some women are so greedy...
ReplyDeleteawww...really? I prefer 'sentimental'....sounds so much nicer.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Nicer, and sweeter, too!
ReplyDeleteBesides, one cape isn't THAT greedy, is it?
ReplyDeleteNot when it's been so diligently and energetically earned.
ReplyDeletebe nice to me or I'll sell it on ebay and pay off my Jeep. :)
ReplyDelete...and my house!
ReplyDeleteWow, you think my cape's worth that much? Maybe I should start selling them!
ReplyDeletePriceless, Silver, priceless! ;)
ReplyDeleteyou get off on the most interesting things...or is it themes?
ReplyDeletebtw, word veri is "conme"
@Californaia Girl: Guilty to both. ;-)
ReplyDelete