Pete Moore (composer)
| Pete Moore | |
|---|---|
|
Pete Moore Conducting | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pete Moore |
| Also known as | Peter Moore |
| Born |
20 August 1924 Essex, England, UK |
| Died |
1 December 2013 Acton, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, Songwriter Music Arranger |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1958–2007 |
| Notable instruments | |
| Piano | |
Pete Moore, born in Essex,England, was a British composer and arranger for a string of famous artistes since the 1950/60s.
Beginning in 1958, he worked with such greats as Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine, Connie Francis and Peter Sellers, amongst others, on all manner of broadcasts & recordings. Pearl & Dean's legendary signature tune is one of the most famous and best-loved tracks played in British movie houses[1] - its distinctive staccato sound evokes the very smell of popcorn and hot dogs.[2]
Moore wrote the Pearl & Dean anthem, "Asteroid", just 28 seconds long. The original screen titles featured graphics intended to emulate advertising panels flashing past as if the viewer was being sucked into the very screen.
By the early 1990s, commercials and trailers were given the full stereo treatment, but the original Asteroid was only ever produced purely as a mono track. Remarkably, not only was the original composer/producer tracked down but Moore was also able to locate two of the three original male singers who could still replicate their vocal parts three decades on.
In 1995, Goldbug (fronted by ex-Beatmaster’s man, Richard Walmsley) sampled the Pearl & Dean anthem and made the number two singles slot with their version of Whole Lotta Love. As Asteroid’s enters its fifth decade, it's a tune that the world of TV and Radio know can immediately capture/create the magic of the British cinema in just a couple of seconds.[3] The visual titles too are just as familiar to many who still recall both the temple steps and the blue poster style panels flashing past as well as later titles with astonishing clarity![4]
A new 2mins 10secs digital version was recently recorded at the Abbey Road studios by Moore and a 30-piece orchestra.
Many of his pieces can be found on YouTube
Quotes
Quote by Pete Moore: "Many people in the UK music profession have accused me of writing music for the future, and well ahead of its time. Having regard to the longevity of this piece I can only thoroughly agree with that sentiment!" — Pete Moore 10 February 2003.[5]