Perry Botkin, Junior, the composer and conductor who was best known for arranging one of the most enduring TV themes for the soap opera “The Young & The Restless” has passed away at age 87.
Botkin died January 18th in Burbank, California. He was a member of the group Barry & the Tamerlanes. He teamed up with friend Barry DeVorzon on the '60’s hit "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight”—with vocals from Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.
Botkin really made his name working behind the scenes in the studio team on hits like Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad," Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman," The Cascades' "Rhythm of the Rain," The Lettermen's "Hurt So Bad" and Barbra Streisand's "Stoney End."
Botkin also had a hand in classic TV themes for Happy Days, Mork and Mindy and Laverne and Shirley.
“Nadia’s Theme” was the iconic medley that he and DeVorzon put together for the soundtrack to the movie Bless the Beasts and the Children. The song also became the theme to “The Young & The Restless” and then ABC used the song when it aired highlights from Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci.
That is the reason the song was renamed and released as “Nadia’s Theme." It then became a top 10 hit in the U.S. (Billboard)
[Source: Classic Hits Today]