Ian Freebairn-Smith, the Grammy-winning composer and arranger whose work helped shape some of Hollywood’s most iconic film and television soundtracks, has died.
He died on October 7 in Folsom, California, at the age of 93.
Known for his incredible range as a composer, singer and arranger, Freebairn-Smith left behind a remarkable legacy spanning decades of music for both screen and stage.
Born in Seattle, he moved to Los Angeles in 1934 and began his career as a group singer with The singers recordedperforming alongside Perry Botkin Jr., Sue Allen, Jimmy Bryant and George Tipton.
His natural ear for harmony and composition soon led him to the world of scoring and arranging.
In 1977, Freebairn-Smith received a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Singer for the song Evergreenperformed by Barbra Streisand for A star is born.
The romantic ballad remains one of Streisand’s most beloved recordings and a defining moment in both of their careers.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he composed music for several popular television shows, including Airwolf, Fame, Cagney & Lacey, Magnum, PI and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
He also collaborated with songwriter Jimmy Webb to create the theme song for Seven brides for seven brothers.
His work extended beyond composition, as his voice appeared on numerous film and TV soundtracks.
Freebairn-Smith lent his vocals to iconic themes such as Batman, Flipper and Gilligan’s Island.
He also sang the main title song for Robert Altman MASH*, Johnny Mandels Suicide is painlesswith The Ron Hicklin Singers. He also provided the singing voice for Ray Walston in the Billy Wilder comedy Kiss me, stupid.
As an arranger, he has worked with an impressive list of artists, including Andy Williams, Streisand, Lou Rawls, Jeff Beck, Stephen Bishop, Randy Crawford, Anthony Newley and Van Dyke Parks.
His diverse collaborations span genres from folk and pop to jazz and rock, contributing to recordings by The Ventures, Phil Ochs, Emitt Rhodes and Lee Hazlewood.
Freebairn-Smith’s influence also reached the advertising world, where he composed jingles for brands such as Chevron, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, Dubonnet Wine and Pacific Bell.
Are California sound helped bring a wave of commercial production to Los Angeles during his career.
In addition to composing, he had an extensive career in radio, serving as a classical music host on Los Angeles stations KFAC, KKGO, KGIL and KCSN. He was the afternoon personality at KCSN until 2009, known for his warmth, humor and deep appreciation for the art of music.
Freebairn-Smith is survived by his brother Rod, four daughters, Leslie, Alison, Jenifer and Vanessa, three of whom are musicians, as well as four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His life’s work, from Evergreen to countless television scores, leaves a lasting echo in the music world, an echo that continues to inspire generations of composers and musicians.
