Movies - TV
The Gilligan’s Island Theme Song Was Pure Chaos To Record
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
"The Ballad of Gilligan's Island," penned by showrunner Sherwood Schwartz and songwriter George Wyle, is one of the best-known TV theme songs ever.
In 1997, Schwartz told the Television Academy about the initial recording session of the song, which, he recalls, required a whistle and a lot of stumbling servers.
Wyle knew a band called the Wellingtons, and he was able to get them into a recording studio quickly. It was needed ASAP, as Schwartz was working under a deadline.
The band could come over immediately, but it was a Sunday, and the local studios were closed. However, Schwartz's friend and industry bigwig, Mel Shavelson, had one at home.
Shavelson had a few stipulations to get permission: record fast and stay out of the way of the massive, catered charity event he was hosting.
Setting up an event makes a lot of noise, as servers and caterers will be constantly bustling about with clattering from dishes and silverware, which is not conducive to recording.
Luckily, Shavelson's wife, Lucy, had an efficient and hilarious way to get the yard quiet. She would blow a whistle, and everyone had to stop so they could record.
"We kept doing it over and over, and they kept setting the table and then stopping, it was such a funny thing. But that's how we recorded this song," Schwartz said.