You know who’s a total legend in the music world? Charles Fox, that’s who. This guy has composed some of the most iconic TV themes of all time – we’re talking The Love Boat, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Wonder Woman. But what you might not know is that he’s also the mastermind behind the classic Monday Night Football theme. Yeah, I said it. The same guy who brought you the catchy tunes of your favorite sitcoms also gave us that epic sports anthem.
Fox’s career is a wild ride, with a slew of hit songs and scores under his belt. He’s the man behind “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” which hit number one not once, but twice – first with Roberta Flack in 1973 and again with the Fugees in 1996. And let’s not forget his work on over 100 feature films and TV movies, which earned him two Academy Award nominations.
But what’s really cool is that Fox has donated a bunch of his papers to the Library of Congress’s Music Division. These aren’t just any papers, either – they’re the actual notes he made while composing some of his most famous themes. It’s like getting a peek into the mind of a genius.
Fox has been recognized for his contributions to the music industry, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024. And if you want to learn more about his creative process, he’s given some great interviews over the years. In one chat with Rough Draft Atlanta, he talked about how he approaches songwriting: “Most of the things that I’ve done I’ve been for characters, either in shows… where each one has a personality, and there’s a meaning for the song.” He also said that “the notes never stop” for him, and that he’s always hearing music. Talk about dedication to your craft.
So the next time you’re watching an old episode of Happy Days or catching a Monday Night Football game, take a moment to appreciate the genius of Charles Fox. The guy’s a legend, and his music is still making us smile (and cheer) to this day.
