Doctor who theme tune 19631969 by ron grainer and delia. Doctor who, composed in 1963 by ron grainer and realised by delia derbyshire and the bbc radiophonic workshop. One of these days by pink floyd sampled delia derbyshire and bbc radiophonic workshops doctor who. Doctor who theme song free ringtone downloads theme songs. The theme was commissioned in 1963 and had an amicable story relayed in spinal taplike fashion by derbyshires contemporaries of the time. The links on the titles of the pieces listed there. Doctor who theme tune 19631969 by ron grainer and delia derbyshire. We love john maestris theme for rogue tyger to that end what with the current doctor who sweepstakes were supporting, we thought of the memorable doctor who theme in all its incarnations over the decades. Doctor who theme composed by ron grainer, originally arranged by delia derbyshire and the radiophonics workshop. The definitive guide to the doctor who theme music welcome to the definitive guide to the original theme music for longrunning bbc science fiction series doctor who, composed in 1963 by ron grainer and realised by delia derbyshire and the bbc radiophonic workshop. Broadcaster and doctor who fan matthew sweet travels to the university of manchester home of delia derbyshire s private collection of audio recordings to learn more about the. She was also a member of the electronic music group white noise with other bbc. This is one theme song that never gets old and brilliant conception of time. The doctor who theme music is a piece of music written by australian composer ron grainer and realised by delia derbyshire at the bbc radiophonic workshop.
Dec 17, 20 delia derbyshire is one of the great electronic pioneers. The myths and legendary tapes i am of course familiar with the theme tune to the bbc science fiction show doctor who. Tom baker and david tennant have a similar impish style which is invariable why they both still score highly. Doctor who docudrama special to acknowledge delia derbyshire, uncredited composer of the doctor who theme our adorable past by susana polo 1. Josh jones over at open culture has a nice piece linking to some videos which gives. Derbyshires original arrangement served as doctor whos main theme for its first. Nov 20, 2017 the underappreciated electronic music pioneer behind the doctor who theme is to be honoured. Delia derbyshire the myths and the legendary tapes 2018. Delia derbyshire is one of the great electronic pioneers. Doctor who theme creator delia derbyshire awarded posthumous. The original version of the doctor who theme was a combined effort from delia derbyshire and dick mills at the bbc radiophonic workshop. The material explained below is based on the original derbyshire theme.
I am staggered by the amount of information and detail in the wiki. Delia derbyshires them is subtle and haunting, weird and wonderful. Delia ann derbyshire 5 may 19373 july 2001 was a british composer who oversaw the bbc radiophonic workshop beginning in the 1960s. The higher ups at bbc didnt want to give credit to a woman, so ron grainger got solo billing. Listen to both songs on whosampled, the ultimate database of sampled music, cover songs and remixes.
Delia derbyshire is best known as the uncredited creator of the doctor who theme tune a sonic innovator in the bbc radiophonic workshop, she received very little acclaim during her lifetime but. Doctor who new opening theme, 1967 by the bbc radiophonic. Delia derbyshire day the woman behind the dr who theme. Online, there is,, and of course, the many music download and streaming platforms on which delia is still a presence. Delia was a complex woman, one with oodles of personality and a sense of humour that shone through in the few rare interviews she did. Select tones in itunes left top side under library, and drag the ringtone file to itunes. The fascinating story of how delia derbyshire created the.
Delia derbyshire biography, albums, streaming links. Explore and download lesson plans for six weeks of learning and activities for doctor who theme by delia. Campaign to bring back the original delia derbyshire theme to doctor who. Nov 20, 2017 the guardian reports that british electronic music pioneer delia derbyshire 1937 2001, best known for realization of the iconic theme for dr. It is used as the theme for the science fiction program doctor who, and has been adapted and covered many times. Delia derbyshire doctor who 2019, yellow, vinyl discogs. Subsequent versions of the theme will be covered in the. After all these years it never changed because it is the most catchy theme ever. Doctor who theme by david arnold is a cover of delia derbyshire and bbc radiophonic workshops doctor who. A campaign to put back the original delia derbyshire theme in doctor who. How does the pitch lowhigh sounds change when the tape issped up or slowed down.
By the mid 1970s derbyshire was disillusioned by the apparent future of electronic music and withdrew from the medium. Bbc two an adventure in space and time delia derbyshire. The theme came about when grainer received a commission from the bbc after his wellreceived work on other series. Delia derbyshire, creator of doctor who theme song popsugar. Delia derbyshire was an employee at the bbc radiophonic workshop. Who theme with the use of tape loops, filters, and valve oscillators. Its really stunning that the doctor who has been with us for 40 years. You can also download the lesson plans as a pdf with accompanying. Delia derbyshire day dd day is a manchesterbased organisation which pays homage to delia derbyshire 19372001.
Jay ellingtonlee and neaman lyles appear courtesy of the p38s additional music used in this episode. Groups from this genre such as orbital and portishead have acknowledged her influence. The pioneering, otherworldly sounds of delia derbyshire. Emma derbyshire, of cedars avenue, coundon, coventry. The latter being their most celebrated and well known work, delia derbyshire s treatment of ron grainers theme for doctor who. Delia ann derbyshire was born on may 5, 1937 in coventry, england. Doctor who themes cocreator honoured with posthumous phd. Complete your dominic glynn delia derbyshire mankind collection. Dec 30, 2007 doctor who theme tune 19631969 by ron grainer and delia derbyshire.
Delia derbyshire, electronic musics forgotten pioneer electronic music as it is now known and used would not exist without derbyshire and her spirit of human, sonic manipulation. Delia derbyshire and the doctor who theme jabberwocky. A good theme song gets you into the mood for the show ahead. Delia was proud of her roots in the city and deeply. Delia ann derbyshire 5 may 1937 3 july 2001 was an english musician and composer of electronic music. Doctor who theme by delia derbyshire original theme. Weve enjoyed playing around with the iconic doctor who sound palette, and wanted celebrate the frequently overlooked electronic music pioneer behind its realization, delia derbyshire.
Nov 30, 2017 working from a traditional score by ron grainer, delia derbyshire created one of television and electronicas most distinctive works of music. She has been referred to as the unsung heroine of british electronic music, having. This is her signature arrangement of the classic theme to doctor who. Watch the bbc ten pieces trailblazers film and have a discussion about delia derbyshire. This collection, originally released by bbc records in 1979 to celebrate 21 years of the workshop appears for the first time in its full original form on cd. Delia derbyshire the woman behind doctor who theme bbc. He composed the theme on a single sheet of a4 manuscript, writes mark ayres in an extensive online history, and sent it over from his home in portugal, leaving the workshop to get on with it. She was best known as member of the bbc radiophonic workshop and the performer of the original theme song for doctor who which was composed for the series by ron grainer. Welcome to the definitive guide to the original theme music for longrunning bbc science fiction series doctor who, composed in 1963 by ron grainer and realised by delia derbyshire and the bbc radiophonic workshop. Delia derbyshire doctor who theme original theme by ron. Delia derbyshire day is an electronic music charitable organisation whose aims are to advance the art and education of electronic music via the works and archive of delia derbyshire 19372001. Delia derbyshire created the dr who theme using entirelyelectronic sounds.
Delia derbyshire uncredited creator of doctor who theme. Delia derbyshire took ron grainers score for the theme tune of doctor who and transformed his written notes into reality, creating a howling masterpiece. Campaign to bring back the original delia derbyshire theme. How did segum akinola change delia derbyshires originaltheme when he composed his version. Delia derbyshire once spoke in a radio documentary on the history of the workshop, broadcast in april 1979 on radio 3 of the antiquated chaos and diy bodgejobs that was the workshops equipment base in the 1960s, and how enormously long tape loops could frequently be seen trailing out into the corridor. Jul 06, 2001 in 1963, soon after joining the bbc radiophonic workshop, delia derbyshire, who has died of renal failure aged 64, was asked to to realise one of the first electronic signature tunes ever used on. The following description is from mark ayres most excellent history of the doctor who theme.
Doctor who original theme from doctor who by ron grainer. Apparently this combination was a popular effect in delia derbyshires toolkit, and was used most notably to create the electronic scream that was played before the end credits. She was considered a visionary in her use of sound and voice and her early works are pioneering efforts in what is now known as electronica. May 19, 2009 apparently this combination was a popular effect in delia derbyshires toolkit, and was used most notably to create the electronic scream that was played before the end credits. I have been a fan since i was a small child and that theme holds a significance in my memories of family time, bath time and jelly and ice cream were finished and now i sat, terrified at the. Explore and download lesson plans for six weeks of learning and activities for doctor who theme by delia derbyshire. Delia derbyshire was born in coventry, england, in 1937.
Working from a traditional score by ron grainer, delia derbyshire created one of television and electronicas most distinctive works of music. In 1963, soon after joining the bbc radiophonic workshop, delia derbyshire, who has died of renal failure aged 64, was asked to to realise one of. After the notorious coventry raids of world war ii, derbyshire and her family moved to lancashire, where she spent most of her childhood. Stream tracks and playlists from delia derbyshire day on your desktop or mobile device. Secondary music at home week 5 derbyshire music education hub. Pink floyds one of these days sample of delia derbyshire. Delia derbyshire day are very grateful to have the support and approval of the delia derbyshire estate, which is essential to the initiatives integrity. Delia derbyshire is best known as the uncredited creator of the doctor who theme tune a sonic innovator in the bbc radiophonic workshop, she received. Created in 1963, it was one of the first electronic music signature tunes for television. Who from delia derbyshire s bbc radiophonic workshop 21 for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists. Save the ringtone in your computer and locate its folder.
Shop our newest and most popular delia derbyshire sheet music such as doctor who theme, or click the button above to browse all delia derbyshire sheet music. Electronic music pioneer delia derbyshire awarded posthumous phd. In the musical dark ages to follow, she worked in a bookshop, an art gallery and a museum. The fascinating story of how delia derbyshire created the original. Although the music was written by ron grainer, an outside composer hired by the bbc, it was workshop member delia derbyshire who masterminded the otherworldly production. The doctor who theme music is a piece of music written by australian composer ron grainer and realised by delia derbyshire at the bbc radiophonic.
Simply brilliant, though it took hundreds hours and thousands of feet of tape. So delia devised a theme tune based on the morse code signal for leicester. She has been referred to as the unsung heroine of british. The wikidelia is my second study of the life and work of the pioneer of electronic music delia derbyshire. She carried out pioneering work with the bbc radiophonic workshop during the 1960s, including her electronic arrangement of the theme music to the british sciencefiction television series doctor who. Delia derbyshire was an english composer and musician who is best known for her phenomenal work with the bbc radiophonic workshop. Delia derbyshire originally broadcasted doctor who theme written by ron grainer and delia derbyshire performed it in the tv show doctor who in 1963.
Delia derbyshire composer biography, facts and music. Our work is centred around the delia derbyshire archive which is held at john rylands library in manchester, uk. Even today amongst electronic music enthusiasts, derbyshire is well known for creating doctor who s theme tune. Doctor who theme the famous melody was actually written by. The doctor who theme, on the other hand, recorded in 1963, was made even before basic analog synthesizers came into use. Delia derbyshire uncredited creator of doctor who theme the. Later themes have added more body, more pomp and circumstance but lost the haunting feel of the original. Delia derbyshire, electronic musics forgotten pioneer. Doctor who theme by delia derbyshire original theme composed. Cover versions of doctor who theme by delia derbyshire. Delia derbyshire, the woman who turned a written score for the doctor who theme tune in to one of the most radical and iconic pieces of music ever produced, is set to be recognised posthumously. Delia ann derbyshire 5 may 1937 3 july 2001 was an english musician and composer of. Unfortunately, she didnt receive any credit for the piece until it was released in reeditedoverdubbed form as a single in 1973. Information please, friday 4 september 1964, bbc light programme, 20.
Delia derbyshire doctor who theme original theme by ron bbc. Educated at coventry grammar school and girton college, cambridge, where she was awarded a degree in mathematics and music. Work from delia s engagement at the bbc has also been published on numerous radiophonic workshop and doctor who lps and cds. She took the music score that ron grainger wrote and created and arranged the original theme to doctor who. The career of the iconic delia derbyshire, a pioneering electronic music artist, began in the radiophonic workshop in 1960. Mgm distribution on behalf of silva screen records. Early in her stint with the workshop, derbyshire recorded the legendary dr. The underappreciated electronic music pioneer behind the doctor who theme is to be honoured. Caro c is the instigator and current project manager of dd day, and we have 3 trustees david butler, dr jenna ashton, mark ayres and brian hodgson is an advisory consultant. If you dont know delias music already, you should first look at and my first study, delia derbyshires audiological chronology. Famous for her arrangement of the doctor who theme tune, there was far more to delia derbyshire s creative activity, both at the bbc and beyond. Delia derbyshire doctor who theme steve hoffman music forums. The myths and legendary tapes, which screened at this years bfi london film festival, seeks to rectify this by telling the story of a passionate and pioneering composer whose work for the bbc and later arrangement of the iconic doctor who theme tune went uncredited on the show for 50 years.
Long before synthesizers ruled the day, delia took an original sound and looped it, synchronized it by hand, creating this sonic marvel. Jul 18, 2012 delia derbyshire, a british musician most active in the 1960s, touted some very strong geek credits to her adorably alliterative name. Incredibly, she created the theme not on monophonic synthesizers, but with various tape loops. Should be mentioned that delia derbyshire had more to do with the sound of the theme. Who, has posthumously been awarded an honorary phd by coventry university.