Composer who created Z cars theme
The man behind one of the most iconic TV themes of all times, Z-Cars, has died at the age of 87.
Johnny Keating would go on to be one of Scotland’s most respected musicians, songwriters and arrangers.
In a career that took him to hollywood and back, Mr Keating also wrote and produced hits for 60s pop stars such as Adam Faith, Petula Clark and Sammy Davis Jr.
his film scores included the 1967 movies hotel and Robbery and in 1972, Innocent Bystanders.
Most recently, his song Bunny hop was featured in the 1994 Tim Burton movie, ed Wood.
hibs fans have also paid tribute to Mr Keating. A life-long supporter, in 1973 he was asked by then chairman Tom hart to produce two songs sung by the hibs team, Turnbull’s Tornados and hibernian (Give us a Goal). Both are still sung by fans today.
Son Martin said his father had never lost his passion for the edinburgh club and had insisted on being buried with his hibs tie.
he said: ‘he was such an inspiration because to go from the poor area where he grew up and make it all the way to hollywood was incredible. One thing that always made me sad was that he never really got the recognition he deserved.’
Born just off edinburgh’s Royal Mile, it is his theme from the TV crime show Z-Cars, based on the traditional folk song Johnny Todd, that he will be best remembered for.
It reached No 5 in the charts, was adopted by everton as their theme song 35 years ago, and remains so to this day.
he also founded the Johnny Keating School of Music in edinburgh.