IC B. Reviewed on 1/7/2025...
"In 1972, when [Disney] Entertainment Vice-President Bob Jani suggested that music from"Fantasia" should accompany the new parade of lights for Disneyland, Producer Jack Wagner was surprised. Jack thought that something electronic, rather than orchestral, should accompany the unique parade. He asked Bob for 48 hours to prove his point. His instinct proved to be the spark that ultimately brought to life the unique musical sound that has become world renowned as Disney's Electrical Parade.
As [Jack Wagner] played tune after tune..his hopes were fading fast. Every selection was made up of electronic bleeps, twangs, far-out sounds and humorous-sounding tape loops. Nothing captured the truly magical spirit of the light parade. Disappointed, Jack almost skipped side two, but flipped the disc and played the first selection. Within seconds, Jack knew he had found the missing musical key to the parade. He found "Baroque Hoedown" [by Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley (1967)].
A quick search of Los Angeles-based musicians turned up synthesizer programmer Paul Beaver. Paul had a small studio and was considered "the only guy" for synth work in Hollywood. On May 17, 1972, Jack and Jim met with Paul for the first time. As they experimented and explored, with Paul programming the electronic sounds and Jim playing the keyboard, two demo tracks were completed. One was a short patriotic medley and the other was the original "Baroque Hoedown" recording with a synth bass line added. They played "Baroque Hoedown" for Bob Jani, and he was thrilled.
The unique musical sound of Disney's Electrical Parade has remained timeless for three-and-a-half decades and has been heard by over 100 million people worldwide."
Thanks to http://www.dondorseyconsulting.com/dscoop-ep.htm
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