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.
17 recordings by Alan Hawkshaw you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
Bird’s Eye Country • Blarney Stoned • Blarney’s Stoned – By George (The David Frost Theme) – Braden’s Beat • Faraway Music – The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair – Crossroads • Girl In A Sportscar • I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing – Poppochoc – It’s All At The Co-Op Now • It’s All At The Co-op Now • Sweet Summer • The Baron Theme – Man In A Suitcase – The Z Cars Theme • The Cade’s Country Theme – The Virginian Theme • The Ironside Theme – The Persuaders Theme – The Saint Main Theme • The Night Rider • The Odd Couple • The Right One – Come Into The Warm – A Matter Of Pride • The W Somerset Maugham TV Series Theme – The Upstairs Downstairs Theme • Theme from ”Shaft” • Yes I Understand •
