In the 1970s Johnny Pearson

Not something that springs to mind in in remembering the music of the 1970s, but this Johnny Pearson was vital to the music of the charts. Because he was in charge of the Top Of The Pops orchestra for nearly twenty years. This of course is long before backing music was allowed on the show, because of union rules the music was played by the BBC and thus Johnny Pearson.

He also composed TV themes like ITN’s News At Ten and Captain Pugwash. But not many people remember he actually made the UK top ten with a TV theme.

Sleepy Shores  was a beautiful piece of music that became popular because of a BBC drama series called "Owen MD" starring British actor Nigel Stock.

Johnny died in 2011 aged 85.