Alan Hawkshaw (March 27, 1937 – October 16, 2021) was a British composer, pianist, and orchestra leader known for his work in library music, television themes, and pop music. Born in Leeds, England, he started as a session musician and gained prominence as the keyboardist for The Shadows in the late 1960s.
Hawkshaw became one of the most influential composers in production music, creating memorable TV themes such as “Grange Hill,” “Countdown,” and “Channel 4 News” in the UK. His funky instrumental tracks, including “The Champ” (with his band The Mohawks), became popular in hip-hop culture, sampled by artists like Eric B. & Rakim and Jay-Z.
Besides TV work, Hawkshaw collaborated with Olivia Newton-John, Barbra Streisand, and David Bowie. His music was a staple of the KPM library, shaping the sound of 1970s and 1980s British television.
He was honored with the BMI TV Music Award for his contributions and continued composing until late in life. Hawkshaw passed away in 2021, leaving a lasting impact on music across multiple genres.
