Alan Tew

Alan Tew was a British composer, arranger, and conductor who began his career in the 1950s as a pianist and arranger for the Len Turner Band. He is best known for his prolific work composing library music and memorable TV theme tunes throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including themes for British shows such as *Doctor in the House*, *...And Mother Makes Three*, and *The Hanged Man*—the latter of which featured his notable piece "The Big One," later famously used as the theme for the American TV series *The People's Court*. Tew also led the Alan Tew Orchestra and collaborated with artists like Cat Stevens.

His music, characterized by a mix of orchestral grandeur and 70s funk elements using instruments ranging from congas to the Moog synthesizer, has enjoyed lasting influence and was sampled by several hip-hop artists. Beyond TV, his compositions appeared as incidental music in shows including *The Two Ronnies*, *The Sweeney*, and even *SpongeBob SquarePants*. Throughout his career, Alan Tew released multiple library and orchestral albums, such as *Drama Suite Part I* and *Drama Suite Part II* as well as *The Magnificent Westerns* (1969). He passed away in 1997, leaving behind a legacy treasured by fans of vintage and library music alike.