Iconic composer pays a visit to Kent
VISITORS to the Spa Valley Railway’s Model Railway Weekend on September 24/25 had a surprise when Mike O’Donnell – famous for cocomposing the iconic theme tune for the Thomas the Tank Engine television series –attended the event.
A composer with a prolific television score and advertising jingle catalogue amid his own solo and group work, O’Donnell joined the popular children’s programme in 1984 with co-composer Junior Campbell, with whom he scored the stories for nearly two decades and created the instantly recognisable original opening theme tune.
Mike was on hand to answer questions, as well as sign autographs for fans and sell copies of CDs containing reworked versions of some of the iconic themes from his time composing for the show.
Mike’s attendance was part of a display run by fans Tom Jedski and Thomas Carter that included original building and character models from the television programme.
He has an extensive catalogue of work ranging from advertising jingles to film scores, and even worked in the Beatles’ Apple Studios with Ringo Starr, who went on to narrate the first two series of the children’s TV hit.
Presently he is attempting to secure funding for his indevelopment project Melody Island, a musically-themed show aimed at three to seven-year-olds.
His portfolio and a range of products can be found by visiting modmusic.co.uk