British composer Alan Hawkshaw, known for the iconic themes to Channel 4’s Countdown, BBC’s Grange Hill and a slew of other works, has sadly passed away aged 84.

Hawkshaw was admitted to the hospital last week, suffering from pneumonia, and unfortunately passed away in the early hours of October 16^th. A tweet from DNA Music Limited shared sentiment from the late composer’s wife, Christiane Bieberbach, who said of her husband’s passing; “It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to Alan, my husband of 53 years and the love of my life.” She also added, alluding to the longevity of their relationship; “I told him he and I were forever, and even though he has been unable to speak for the past two months, he managed a few ‘forevers’ and I knew he was at peace.”

Other notable figures have paid a touching tribute to Hawkshaw, including director Edgar Wright and Hawkshaw’s daughter Kirsty.

RIP to Alan Hawkshaw, the undisputed king of TV theme tunes. Among his many many indelible ear worms is this, the only 70’s theme tunes I’ve ever danced to in a club (Thank you, Blow Up). Enjoy the Hammond organ majesty of Dave Allen At Large. Thank you Alan for all the tunes. pic.twitter.com/j7V6Np0pCI

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 16, 2021

Daddy Thank you for the life you gave me. For always turning my frown into a smile. I love you Dad and always will. #AlanHawkshaw pic.twitter.com/e6jT5aLePh — Kirsty_Hawkshaw (@kirsty_hawkshaw) October 16, 2021

It is an understatement to say that Hawkshaw had an undeniably illustrious career; in addition to composing well-known television themes, his catalogue of achievements and musical endeavours is vast indeed. In his early years as a professional musician, Hawkshaw played the piano on “Put Yourself In My Place” by The Hollies in 1965 and played on a live performance of David Bowie’s “In The Heat of The Morning” in 1968. In 1969, Hawkshaw would become a member of the instrumental rock group The Shadows, led by guitarist Hank Marvin. His piano work would be featured on The Shadows’ live album The Shadows Live in Japan and the group’s eighth studio album Shades Of Rock.

As the 1970s rolled around, Hawkshaw would go on to work with other big names such as Olivia-Newton John, Jane Birkin, Cliff Richard and Donna Summer, for whom he played keyboards on the 1977 double album Once Upon A Time. In the 1980s, Hawkshaw would really hit his stride with compositional work, with his tune “Best Endeavours” being used as the theme for Channel 4 News, and “Chicken Man” is featured as the theme for Grange Hill, and also for Give Us A Clue, an ITV quiz show. He also composed the music to the thirteen-part television series Arthur C. Clarke’s Mysterious World.

Most interestingly, Hawkshaw’s work on “New Earth Parts 1 & 2” by Hank Marvin would be sampled by Jay-Z for his song “Pray” on the album American Gangster. This would, according to the statement by DNA Music Limited, led Hawkshaw to joke that he was “one of the oldest rap artists in the world.”