Johnny Pearson

Johnny Pearson (born June 18, 1925) is a British composer and pianist. He has written a vast catalogue of library music, and has had many of his pieces used as the theme music to television series, includ

Johnny Pearson (born June 18, 1925) is a British composer and pianist. He has written a vast catalogue of library music, and has had many of his pieces used as the theme music to television series, including 3-2-1, All Creatures Great and Small, Captain Pugwash and News at Ten. He also wrote the Grampian Television startup music "Sounds On" and the ATV startup theme "Midlands Montage".

He was pianist in the group Sounds Orchestral, who had a number 5 hit in early 1965 with "Cast Your Fate To The Wind". As leader of the Johnny Pearson Orchestra, he reached number 8 in early 1972 with "Sleepy Shores", theme from the TV series Owen MD. He was also musical director of Top of the Pops for many years until the early 1980s, conducting the programme's orchestra which provided backing for live performances of current hits. In some cases, notably Althia and Donna's "Uptown Top Ranking", Pearson's versions sounded rather different from the original records.