Eric Spear

Who was Eric Spear?

Eric Spear was an English composer of film music. He was born in Croydon and died in Southampton.

Spear is best known for composing the original theme tune for the UK's longest-running television soap opera, Coronation Street, for which he was paid £6. The theme, originally entitled "Lancashire Blues" was commissioned by Peter Taylor, at De Wolfe Music, for a new television soap opera called "Florizel Street". The name of the serial was changed to "Coronation Street" because it was felt that the name bore a resemblance to Zoflora, a popular floral concentrated disinfectant. The cornet player Ronnie Hunt found the recording session frustrating, as Spear insisted on many takes before obtaining the sound that he wanted. For most of the programme's 50 year run since 1960, the theme tune has only been modified by converting it to stereo. Since May 31, 2010, a new version has replaced the original arrangement coinciding with the programme's shift to HDTV with new opening titles. The new version has been criticized by many viewers as lacking the atmospheric quality of the original. The commercial break 'motif' to the 'End of Part 1' card was also replaced by a newer, less substantial version. The new version of the theme also differs by being less strident than the original with less of an orchestral sound, and having a shorter closing section which is often 'squashed' by the voice-over announcing the upcoming programme menu across ITV's channels.