Vale: Richard Connolly

Composer Richard Connolly, best known for writing the theme song for Play School, has died aged 94.

He died on May 4, and is survived by his wife Cynthia and his nine children.

His iconic tune to the long-running ABC series was written overnight while Connolly was working for ABC Education.

His daughter, producer Polly Connolly, said, “When I was a little girl, my mum would call me and my little sister inside and say ‘come and listen to daddy sing’.”

Connolly’s version, in which he also sang the lyrics by early childhood educator Dr Rosemary Milne, debuted on July 18, 1966.

There’s a Bear in There has been re-recorded several times, most recently in 2016 as part of a triple j competition to mark the TV show’s 50th anniversary.

Richard Connolly, composer of the Play School theme song, passed away yesterday at the age of 94. A long career as both a composer, and a producer at the ABC, in this clip he sings the original version, also featured within the 2017 Sounds of Australia.https://t.co/dIfbx4fBx2 pic.twitter.com/srfEquiFMk

— NFSA -National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (@NFSAonline) May 5, 2022

He began at ABC in 1956 where he started work in religious broadcasts, composing extensively for radio and TV programs, as well as Australian documentaries and film. In 1967, he joined Radio Drama and Features at the ABC.Connolly last performed the song for Gruen in 2020.

Connolly retired in 1988 and spent the last few years of his life at Alexander Aged Care in Brookvale, NSW.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Connolly. We were honoured to have Richard appear on Gruen in 2020 performing the song that will make him forever an Australian Television Icon. Thank you, Richard. pic.twitter.com/gXvmt9v7Ew

— The Gruen Team (@GruenHQ) May 6, 2022

Source: ABC