In Praise of Randy Van Horne

Tref · 10-03-2007, 10:14 PM

From the L.A. Times

Randy Van Horne, whose Randy Van Horne Singers performed the theme songs for "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "The Huckleberry Hound Show" and several other popular television cartoons of the 1960s, has died. He was 83.

To read article, click here

From Spaceagepop.com

... Van Horne ... assembled a regular ensemble from among the session vocalists he worked with, and this group was signed to RCA Victor (and later, MGM) as the Randy Van Horne Singers. The group included perhaps the most famous session singer of all ... Marni Nixon, as well as Thurl Ravenscroft (the voice of Tony the Tiger), B.J. Baker, and Bob Zwern.

Esquivel was only one of dozens of arrangers to use Van Horne's singers. They sang the jazzy vocals on Bob Thompson great RCA albums, did their best to imitate African chants on Martin Denny's Afrodesia album, and recorded other cartoon show themes such as "The Jetsons." They also worked with ad men like Hugh Heller, and Van Horne kept his own composition skills in tune by writing jingles himself. On rare occasions, the group appeared live, usually a part of variety revues in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

To read article, click here

Randy Van Horne

"Huzzah."

RStar · 10-04-2007, 07:20 AM

It's amazing how you don't ever hear about these people until they die. And then you realize you will miss them. Randy was an important part of our culture when I was growing up, and I didn't even know it.

Good work Randy. You will be missed.

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-04-2007, 07:34 AM

When you think of a pop culture milestone like the Flintstones, sometimes it's hard to remember that it wasn't all Mr. Hanna and Mr. Barbara. I can't even imagine being close enough to say "it was my singing group that sang this iconic song."

Snowflake · 10-04-2007, 07:49 AM

Randy I didn't know you, but I can say I loved your work! RIP

I've just sat at my desk and sung along with this and will probably have it playing in my head for the rest of the day.

Need a TV theme song? Go here

ozron · 10-04-2007, 08:11 AM

I loved this man's work!! Saturday morning cartoons were our introduction to real, honest-to-God, straight ahead jazz, and we didn't even realize it!

In high school, when vocal jazz was huge, there was an arrangement of the Flintstones that everyone did. The same arrangement was re-set for vocal jazz ensemble, stage band, even drum and bugle corps.

My personal favorite, though, was Top Cat. Not only great theme music, but TC taught the post-rat pack generation what is meant to be hip.

ron

10-03-2007, 10:14 PM	#1
Tref Not Tref Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,188	In Praise of Randy Van Horne From the L.A. Times Randy Van Horne, whose Randy Van Horne Singers performed the theme songs for "The Flintstones," "The Jetsons," "The Huckleberry Hound Show" and several other popular television cartoons of the 1960s, has died. He was 83. To read article, click here From Spaceagepop.com ... Van Horne ... assembled a regular ensemble from among the session vocalists he worked with, and this group was signed to RCA Victor (and later, MGM) as the Randy Van Horne Singers. The group included perhaps the most famous session singer of all ... Marni Nixon, as well as Thurl Ravenscroft (the voice of Tony the Tiger), B.J. Baker, and Bob Zwern. Esquivel was only one of dozens of arrangers to use Van Horne's singers. They sang the jazzy vocals on Bob Thompson great RCA albums, did their best to imitate African chants on Martin Denny's Afrodesia album, and recorded other cartoon show themes such as "The Jetsons." They also worked with ad men like Hugh Heller, and Van Horne kept his own composition skills in tune by writing jingles himself. On rare occasions, the group appeared live, usually a part of variety revues in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. To read article, click here Randy Van Horne "Huzzah." __________________ Tref3.0 Listen in aural 3-D to Pop's muzak! (New songs added semi-bi-daily) j & j Did you know that Emas eht yltcaxe is exactly the same spelled backwards?!
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10-04-2007, 07:20 AM	#2
RStar Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Me & Manyard hangin out! Posts: 5,433	It's amazing how you don't ever hear about these people until they die. And then you realize you will miss them. Randy was an important part of our culture when I was growing up, and I didn't even know it. Good work Randy. You will be missed. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! www.StarTownGifts.com
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10-04-2007, 07:34 AM	#3
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	When you think of a pop culture milestone like the Flintstones, sometimes it's hard to remember that it wasn't all Mr. Hanna and Mr. Barbara. I can't even imagine being close enough to say "it was my singing group that sang this iconic song." __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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10-04-2007, 07:49 AM	#4
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Randy I didn't know you, but I can say I loved your work! RIP I've just sat at my desk and sung along with this and will probably have it playing in my head for the rest of the day. Need a TV theme song? Go here __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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10-04-2007, 08:11 AM	#5
ozron The once and former... Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 421	I loved this man's work!! Saturday morning cartoons were our introduction to real, honest-to-God, straight ahead jazz, and we didn't even realize it! In high school, when vocal jazz was huge, there was an arrangement of the Flintstones that everyone did. The same arrangement was re-set for vocal jazz ensemble, stage band, even drum and bugle corps. My personal favorite, though, was Top Cat. Not only great theme music, but TC taught the post-rat pack generation what is meant to be hip. ron __________________ http://www.portlandspirit.com/deadhusband.php
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