Neal Hefti, a Big Band trumpeter, arranger and composer of themes for the movie “The Odd Couple” and the “Batman” television series, has died. He was 85. Hefti died Saturday at his home, said his son Paul Hefti. Neal Hefti’s notable achievements include the iconic theme of the 1960s superhero series “Batman,” which became a Top 40 hit and won a Grammy Award in 1966 for best instrumental theme. He also composed music for “The Odd Couple,” “Barefoot in the Park” and “Harlow,” which featured his classic track “Girl Talk.” His son said the “Batman” theme was Neal Hefti’s most difficult piece, taking him at least one month to compose the driving bass and explosive trumpet bursts. “He threw away more music paper on this thing than any other song,” Paul Hefti told The Associated Press. “It got down to the blues with a funny guitar hook, the lowest common denominator and a fun groove.” … “He was one of the really great arrangers and composers of all time,” radio and television personality Gary Owens, a longtime friend, told the Los Angeles Times.

You know, the Batman theme song from the 1960’s is one of those iconic hallmarks of pop culture that will live on far into the future, well beyond Hefti’s passing. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t recognize the Duh-na-na-na-na-na-na-na cadence as the Batman theme song. I’ve always marveled at how something so simple could make such an impact on pop culture. The Odd Couple theme song is another bit of music that is very recognizable and also has its place in pop culture history. It’s always very sad to learn of anyone’s passing but Neal Hefti is one of those people who made such an impact on pop culture that his passing seems especially sad for me. My thoughts and condolences go out to his family.

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