Hoff Online: How did you come to compose the theme for Knight Rider?
Stu Phillips: I had been working for Glen Larson since 1974. I was generally
considered his composer. Ninety percent of what Larson did between 1974
and 1987, I scored.
Hoff Online: How many instruments were used in the theme and what were they?
Stu Phillips I used four separate synth players... two percussionists... two
drummers... Fender Bass... one guitar... one acoustic piano.
Hoff Online: Were there any other versions of this theme composed prior to
this one, or was this one always the main concept for the theme song?
Stu Phillips: This was it. I didn't even make a temp track. However, there was
a temp track that the film editor put in for the first showing to the
network. It was one synth, and nothing similar to the final theme.
Hoff Online: How long did it take you to compose the Knight Rider theme?
Stu Phillips: I don't exactly remember. It was definitely over a span of time.
Maybe a week or ten days.
Hoff Online : How did you get your ideas for this type of music for the theme?
Stu Phillips: Can't give you a definitive answer. Inspiration cannot easily be
explained.
Hoff Online: How many television shows have you composed themes for?
Stu Phillips Ten!
Hoff Online: What inspired you to get into composing music?
Stu Phillips: The complete answer is best found in my book "Stu Who? Forty Years of
Navigating the Minefields of the Music Business." Briefly, I sort of
fell into it by chance.
Hoff Online: Out of all the theme songs you have composed, which ones do you
consider to be your favorites?
Stu Phillips: I would have to say "Knight Rider", "Battlestar Galactica", "Quincy", and one of the versions of "Spiderman" that aired in the
late 70s.
Hoff Online: Did you ever visit the set of Knight Rider and watch them film
episodes of the show?
Stu Phillips: A couple of times. I spent more time on The "Galactica" set and
the "Fall Guy" set then I did Knight Rider.
Hoff Online: Have you gotten to meet all of the Knight Rider cast?
Stu Phillips: I met "Michael" once, for about five minutes. I never met any of
the other cast.
Hoff Online: I really appreciate you taking the time to do this interview for me. Thank You very much for your time Stu!
Stu Phillips: Thanks for the interview!
"Knight Rider Theme Composer" Stu Phillips Interview Copyright © 2004 davidhasselhoffonline.com - Please visit Stu's Official site here: stuwho.com
