(NBC Nighttime, 1959 - 1973)
[The lead actors sharing the spotlight were Lorne Greene,
Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon; Producer
David Dortort said he conceived of the idea as a family drama
rather than the typical more violent "shoot-em-up" style of
Western, and this may be the secret of its longevity;
"Bonanza" was the first prime-time network color series that
caught on in a big way using NBC's new "Living Color" technology.
But it was NOT the first prime-time network series filmed in
color, as is often incorrectly stated, nor even the first show
televised in color on NBC -- that took place six years before
"Bonanza". For more information, see the background on the page:
NBC Living Color]
[aka: ASCAP repertoire title: "Color Logo Signature"]
[David Rose wrote this special Color Logo to precede
"Bonanza" for awhile; Soon after, generic NBC "Living Color"
music logos preceded all of NBC's color TV programs.
The first music logo behind the NBC Peacock was a dramatic
orchestration which Milton DeLugg identified as having been
composed by Lou Garisto, who fought ASCAP for royalties
but never got it since it was a "work for hire."
The second NBC Peacock logo was a lighter piece scored for
woodwinds, cymbal and harp, written by New York jingle
writer Jack Easton.]
Composer: David D. Rose (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Miller Music Corp. (ASCAP)
2000 Publisher: EMI Miller Catalog Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o EMI Music Publishing Inc.
of New York, NY
Copyright Date: Nov 2, 1961; Eu 693 851.
Recordings:
[aka: "Theme From Bonanza"]
[The original pilot included the four lead actors singing the theme
song. Wiser heads prevailed for the series, and the theme aired
in a rollicking instrumental arrangement by David Rose, which
was used for many years.]
Composers: Jay Livingston (ASCAP), and
Raymond B. ("Ray") Evans (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Livingston & Evans, Inc. (ASCAP)
2000 Publishers: Jay Livingston Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
of Los Angeles, CA; and
Universal/MCA Music Publishing (ASCAP),
a division of Universal Studios, Inc.
of Los Angeles, CA.
Copyright Date: June 17, 1959; Eu 581 312.
Recordings:
[aka: "Ponderosa"]
[After the opening Theme and credits and the first commercial,
this fanfare began the series each week. It was such a satisfying
logo it seemed to signal the real start of the program. It was
derived from a theme developed by David Rose for use in episode
scores of the series to represent The Ponderosa -- the ranch on
which the series took place -- which was "home" to the main
characters. The melody was included on the Bonanza soundtrack
album.]
Composer: David D. Rose (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: David Rose Publishing Co. (ASCAP)
2000 Publisher: David Rose Publishing Co. (ASCAP)
of Sherman Oaks, CA
[filed under the title "Ponderosa"]:
Copyright Date: Sept. 20, 1961; Eu 688 184.
Recordings:
[When the original theme -- a catchy but simplistic tune -- had
worn out its welcome after 11 seasons, principal composer David
Rose who scored most of the episodes over the years, and who
had written the rollicking arrangement of the first THEME,
was invited to compose a fresh new signature THEME for the
1970-71 season. (At that point, perhaps the series was starting
to decline in ratings, and music is one of the first things
producers change which they think will "freshen up" the series.)
Unfortunately, after the death of Dan Blocker, many fans
pressured the producers to bring back the old Livingston-Evans
THEME -- a sentimental favorite. So it was re-instated for
what turned out to be the series' final 1972 - 73 season.]
Composer: David D. Rose (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Open-Dor Music Co. Inc. (ASCAP)
2000 Publisher: Open-Dor Music Company Inc. (ASCAP)
of Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date: Oct. 13, 1970; Ep 209 245.
Recordings: