PBS's FRONTLINE (1983-1997 Theme Music)

By 1982, the television documentary was dead. For the exception of 60 Minutes, documentary reporting on network television was a lost art.

This was the climate that David Fanning operated under when he started the work of producing his new documentary television show. If his show failed to attract an audience to PBS, then a 12-year-old network, it would had been the absolute end of the television documentary.

To bring the audience needed, his new show needed a host. He chose Jessica Savitch. She, according to 1982 TV Guide poll, was the fourth most trusted anchor person in the country and also got high marks for her physical beauty.

Also essential to bring the audience the show needed was a memorable theme. For that assignment, he chose the composing duo of Mason Daring and Martin Brody. In late 1982, the duo submitted their theme. Daring, in an email to me, said that he and Brody were seeking to make a theme that was weighty, attractive, impressive, important, and glorious.

On the night they played the theme for David Fanning, Jessica Savitch, and the staff of the show, Daring said they went "nuts" with excitement.

The theme was used from FRONTLINE's debut in 1983 until 1997 and it was the only theme used in the opening from 1983 until 1990.

I hope the original FRONTLINE theme makes you go as "nuts" with excitement as well.

This theme is being posted for listening purposes only. Please do not misuse it.

©Copyright 1983 Mason Daring & Martin Brody, WGBH Educational Foundation, Public Broadcasting Service. All Rights Reserved.