Colour My World - The Tony Hatch Story

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012009061920120108 (R2)Bill Kenwright presents the first of three programmes looking at the life and music of the former Head Chorister who went on to become one of Britain's leading composers, songwriters, arrangers and producers.

Downtown, I Couldn't Live Without Your Love. Don't Sleep In The Subway, Joanna, Crossroads, Sportsnight and Neighbours are just a few of the songs and compositions of Tony Hatch who celebrated his 70th birthday in June 2009 [when this series first broadcast] and who was hugely instrumental in the careers of Petula Clark and The Searchers.

In the first of three programmes, Bill Kenwright traces Tony Hatch's early years from the 12 year old hooked on the light orchestras of Mantovani and Stanley Black, to the international success of Downtown.

The series includes an exclusive contribution from Tony himself talking about his life in music and we hear from some of the people involved in those early years including Julie Grant. John McNally of The Searchers talks about the moment when Brian Epstein didn't sign the band and they thought they'd missed the boat, until Tony Hatch arrived in Liverpool and signed them up. Fellow Searcher, Frank Allen talks about the impact that Tony's involvement had on the band's career and Petula Clark recalls the moment when she first heard the amazing piano intro to Downtown.

Bill Kenwright presents the first of three programmes on the life and music of Tony Hatch.

Bill Kenwright looks at the life and music of songwriter, composer and producer Tony Hatch

022009070320120115 (R2)Bill Kenwright presents the second of three programmes profiling the life and music of songwriter, composer and producer, Tony Hatch

Tonight's programme looks at the golden years following the success of 'Downtown' when Tony notched up a string of hits with Petula Clark including 'I Know A Place', 'You're the One' (co-written with Petula), 'Don't Sleep In The Subway' and 'I Couldn't Live Without Your Love'. The latter two, of course, were written with Jackie Trent, who Tony began working with in 1963 and who he eventually married. Together, they formed one of the most successful song-writing partnerships in pop music history, earning them the tag 'Mr and Mrs Music', writing and recording songs together as well as for other artists such as Scott Walker.

We hear from Petula Clark on the songs that made her want to sing and her reluctance to record 'My Love' which then went on to become a No. 1 hit in America. There is archive recording of Jackie Trent recalling the first song she wrote with Tony and of recording 'The Two Of Us' which made them household names in Australia. Tony himself talks about and demonstrates his songwriting style.

Bill Kenwright presents the second of three programmes on the life and music of Tony Hatch

Bill Kenwright looks at the life and music of songwriter, composer and producer Tony Hatch

032009071020120122 (R2)Bill Kenwright presents the third and final part of Colour My World: The Tony Hatch Story.

In 1964 Tony was commissioned to write his first television theme when the goings-on at the Crossroads motel became a daily feature in the lives of many people. He went on to become the composer in demand for TV, writing the themes for Sportsnight, Man Alive, Emmerdale and, of course, Neighbours, among many others. He also earned himself a fearsome reputation as 'The Hatchet Man' on the talent show New Faces and he and Jackie moved into musical theatre, providing the music and lyrics for The Card.

In tonight's programme we hear from TV producer Reg Watson who, back in 1964, commissioned Tony to write the music for Crossroads. 20 years later he heard Tony's composition for Neighbours and knew, as soon as he heard it, that the song was absolutely perfect for the show. And Barry Crocker, who provided the vocals on the original version, talks about the day that he recorded it with Tony.

Theatre impresario, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, talks about his work with Tony on stage musicals,The Card and Rock Nativity and we come right up to date with American producer, Victoria Laing, who explains why she included nine of Tony's songs in her current stage show, Shout - The Mod Musical.

Bill Kenwright looks at Tony Hatch's work in TV and on the stage.

Bill Kenwright looks at the life and music of songwriter, composer and producer Tony Hatch

032009071020120122 (R2)Bill Kenwright presents the third and final part of Colour My World: The Tony Hatch Story.

In 1964 Tony was commissioned to write his first television theme when the goings-on at the Crossroads motel became a daily feature in the lives of many people. He went on to become the composer in demand for TV, writing the themes for Sportsnight, Man Alive, Emmerdale and, of course, Neighbours, among many others. He also earned himself a fearsome reputation as The Hatchet Man on the talent show New Faces and he and Jackie moved into musical theatre, providing the music and lyrics for The Card.

In tonight's programme we hear from TV producer Reg Watson who, back in 1964, commissioned Tony to write the music for Crossroads. 20 years later he heard Tony's composition for Neighbours and knew, as soon as he heard it, that the song was absolutely perfect for the show. And Barry Crocker, who provided the vocals on the original version, talks about the day that he recorded it with Tony.

Theatre impresario, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, talks about his work with Tony on stage musicals,The Card and Rock Nativity and we come right up to date with American producer, Victoria Laing, who explains why she included nine of Tony's songs in her current stage show, Shout - The Mod Musical.

Bill Kenwright looks at Tony Hatch's work in TV and on the stage.

Bill Kenwright looks at the life and music of songwriter, composer and producer Tony Hatch

Bill Kenwright presents the third and final part of Colour My World: The Tony Hatch Story.

In 1964 Tony was commissioned to write his first television theme when the goings-on at the Crossroads motel became a daily feature in the lives of many people. He went on to become the composer in demand for TV, writing the themes for Sportsnight, Man Alive, Emmerdale and, of course, Neighbours, among many others. He also earned himself a fearsome reputation as The Hatchet Man on the talent show New Faces and he and Jackie moved into musical theatre, providing the music and lyrics for The Card.

In tonight's programme we hear from TV producer Reg Watson who, back in 1964, commissioned Tony to write the music for Crossroads. 20 years later he heard Tony's composition for Neighbours and knew, as soon as he heard it, that the song was absolutely perfect for the show. And Barry Crocker, who provided the vocals on the original version, talks about the day that he recorded it with Tony.

Theatre impresario, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, talks about his work with Tony on stage musicals,The Card and Rock Nativity and we come right up to date with American producer, Victoria Laing, who explains why she included nine of Tony's songs in her current stage show, Shout - The Mod Musical.

Bill Kenwright looks at Tony Hatch's work in TV and on the stage.

Bill Kenwright looks at the life and music of songwriter, composer and producer Tony Hatch