The Rembrandts’ ‘I’ll Be There For You’ may be one of the world’s most instantly familiar TV theme tunes, but its success split up the band, amid fears they’d lost everything about them that was cool.
Danny Wilde, one half of the alt-rock duo, told the UK’s Guardian newspaper that the band were initially asked to record a 43-second version of the song for the pilot of Friends – something with the same tempo as R.E.M.’s ‘Shiny Happy People.’
Wilde explained why the band, comprising himself and Phil Solem, were initially reluctant to have their name associated with the sit-com:
“It didn’t have our name on the credits. We were a pretty hip band, so stipulated that we didn’t want anyone to know we’d sold out.”
Then, when the show quickly found its mark, the cast and band joined together in...
Danny Wilde, one half of the alt-rock duo, told the UK’s Guardian newspaper that the band were initially asked to record a 43-second version of the song for the pilot of Friends – something with the same tempo as R.E.M.’s ‘Shiny Happy People.’
Wilde explained why the band, comprising himself and Phil Solem, were initially reluctant to have their name associated with the sit-com:
“It didn’t have our name on the credits. We were a pretty hip band, so stipulated that we didn’t want anyone to know we’d sold out.”
Then, when the show quickly found its mark, the cast and band joined together in...
- 3/12/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
No one told them the song was gonna blow up this way.
The Rembrandts were putting finishing touches on their third album, “L.P.,” when a sidestep into television drastically altered their course in 1994. Now, 26 years since “I’ll Be There for You” debuted on “Friends,” band member Phil Solem is reflecting on the ups and downs caused by the track, how a few beers led to its iconic claps and witnessing Brad Pitt enjoy a performance of the hit more than the cast.
Solem and bandmate Danny Wilde, who previously had a hit with 1990’s “Just the Way It Is, Baby,” will forever be associated with “Friends,” yet they initially asked to remain anonymous while working on the tune after viewing the pilot. “In those days, it was uncool for a band like ours to be involved in television,” Solem explains.
Musical director Michael Skloff had composed a piano melody,...
The Rembrandts were putting finishing touches on their third album, “L.P.,” when a sidestep into television drastically altered their course in 1994. Now, 26 years since “I’ll Be There for You” debuted on “Friends,” band member Phil Solem is reflecting on the ups and downs caused by the track, how a few beers led to its iconic claps and witnessing Brad Pitt enjoy a performance of the hit more than the cast.
Solem and bandmate Danny Wilde, who previously had a hit with 1990’s “Just the Way It Is, Baby,” will forever be associated with “Friends,” yet they initially asked to remain anonymous while working on the tune after viewing the pilot. “In those days, it was uncool for a band like ours to be involved in television,” Solem explains.
Musical director Michael Skloff had composed a piano melody,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Leena Tailor
- Variety Film + TV
A little over 17 years since the series finale of Friends aired, the cast is finally reuniting for a special appearing today on HBO Max. But this isn’t like Return to Mayberry or A Very Brady Christmas where he cast appears in character and has a new zany adventure. It’s instead in the style of the recent Fresh Prince of Bel-Air special where everyone returns to the set to share memories, visit with surprise guests, and make a boatload of money promoting the show’s arrival on a new streaming platform.
- 5/27/2021
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Thought Manhattan’s Central Perk pop-up coffeeshop couldn’t get any cooler? Think again. (I should note right up top that I’m using the word “cool” relatively.)
Last night, a preview of the temporary space—which officially opened Wednesday—featured a very special musical guest. Nope, it wasn’t Lisa Kudrow as Central Perk mainstay Phoebe Buffay, or David Schwimmer’s Ross showing off his “sound”: It was the pop-rock duo of Phil Solem and Danny Wilde, better known as The Rembrandts. Really, though, they’re best known as the guys who sing Friends’ clap-happy earworm of a theme song.
Last night, a preview of the temporary space—which officially opened Wednesday—featured a very special musical guest. Nope, it wasn’t Lisa Kudrow as Central Perk mainstay Phoebe Buffay, or David Schwimmer’s Ross showing off his “sound”: It was the pop-rock duo of Phil Solem and Danny Wilde, better known as The Rembrandts. Really, though, they’re best known as the guys who sing Friends’ clap-happy earworm of a theme song.
- 9/17/2014
- by Hillary Busis
- EW.com - PopWatch
The sad passing of actress Alexandra Bastedo earlier this month saw many recalling and celebrating her work on '60s spy-fi series The Champions - just one entry in the canon of cult programme makers Itc Entertainment.
Though it also branched out into film production - with the likes of 1976's The Eagle Has Landed and 1982's The Dark Crystal - Itc was best known throughout the 1960s and '70s for its raft of cult TV programming, with shows like The Champions making an indelible screen icon of Bastedo and others like her.
These shows are now world-renowned - The Saint, The Prisoner, Thunderbirds - but the team behind them still go sadly unsung.
This week, the Week in Geek is looking to redress the balance with a fond tribute to Itc Entertainment - one of the UK's very best, most influential production teams.
Sherlock: The Problem of the Vanishing Detective
Doctor Who,...
Though it also branched out into film production - with the likes of 1976's The Eagle Has Landed and 1982's The Dark Crystal - Itc was best known throughout the 1960s and '70s for its raft of cult TV programming, with shows like The Champions making an indelible screen icon of Bastedo and others like her.
These shows are now world-renowned - The Saint, The Prisoner, Thunderbirds - but the team behind them still go sadly unsung.
This week, the Week in Geek is looking to redress the balance with a fond tribute to Itc Entertainment - one of the UK's very best, most influential production teams.
Sherlock: The Problem of the Vanishing Detective
Doctor Who,...
- 1/21/2014
- Digital Spy
When you think of the Friends theme, you generally don't think of a somber piano ballad.
But after watching this video, you will.
Glenn Murphy, Oisin O'Callaghan and Ronan Scolard are three Irish gents (as if you couldn't tell from their names) who met a year and a half ago at University College in Dublin. Though they were all involved in different courses of study, they bonded over a shared love of music and started putting together cover versions of popular songs, harmonizing like ruddy little angels.
Interestingly, "I'll Be There For You" was actually co-written by Friends producers David Crane and Marta Kauffman,...
But after watching this video, you will.
Glenn Murphy, Oisin O'Callaghan and Ronan Scolard are three Irish gents (as if you couldn't tell from their names) who met a year and a half ago at University College in Dublin. Though they were all involved in different courses of study, they bonded over a shared love of music and started putting together cover versions of popular songs, harmonizing like ruddy little angels.
Interestingly, "I'll Be There For You" was actually co-written by Friends producers David Crane and Marta Kauffman,...
- 1/14/2014
- by Alex Heigl
- People.com - TV Watch
R.I.P. Tony Curtis, 'Cowboys And Aliens' Reports, And 'The Social Network' In Today's Twitter Report
Actor Tony Curtis' death topped the trending news topics being discussed in the Twitter Report feed this morning. Edgar Wright, Wes Molebash and Jeff Parker shared their reactions, though one of them felt more connected to comedian Greg Giraldo whose passing also made headlines today.
On the movies front, Olivia Wilde triumphantly declared that she's finished with Jon Favreau's "Cowboys and Aliens." Favreau's been tweeting a bit as well, and it sounds like things are track for next year's release. Their notes, Tony Moore on "Jersey Shore" and Karl Kerschl's thoughts on "The Social Network" await you below.
I'm @brianwarmoth, and this is your Twitter Report for September 30, 2010.
Tony Curtis pt. 1: @edgarwright What a sad week in Hollywood. We just lost Danny Wilde, Sidney Falco, 'Junior' & Bernie Schwartz from the Bronx. Rest in peace, Tony Curtis.
-Edgar Wright, Director ("Scott Pilgrim vs. The World")
Tony Curtis pt.
On the movies front, Olivia Wilde triumphantly declared that she's finished with Jon Favreau's "Cowboys and Aliens." Favreau's been tweeting a bit as well, and it sounds like things are track for next year's release. Their notes, Tony Moore on "Jersey Shore" and Karl Kerschl's thoughts on "The Social Network" await you below.
I'm @brianwarmoth, and this is your Twitter Report for September 30, 2010.
Tony Curtis pt. 1: @edgarwright What a sad week in Hollywood. We just lost Danny Wilde, Sidney Falco, 'Junior' & Bernie Schwartz from the Bronx. Rest in peace, Tony Curtis.
-Edgar Wright, Director ("Scott Pilgrim vs. The World")
Tony Curtis pt.
- 9/30/2010
- by Brian Warmoth
- MTV Splash Page
Hollywood legend Tony Curtis, whose career spanned more than 60 years, has died at the age of 85, it was announced today.
The star, who appeared in more than 100 films, suffered a heart attack at his Las Vegas home.
Among his dozens of screen roles, he voiced a prehistoric version of himself in Stone Age sitcom The Flintstones, which today celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In the cartoon's sixth and final season, which aired in 1965-1966, Wilma Flintstone wins a slave for the day, who happens to be the famous actor Stony Curtis (pictured far right in the image below).
Curtis was among many celebrity voices who appeared on the show; among others, Cary Grant appeared as Cary Granite, Perry Mason as Perry Masonry and Ann-Margret as Ann-Margrock.
Sir Roger Moore, who starred alongside Curtis in TV hit The Persuaders, said: "He was a fine actor. I shall miss him."
Sir Roger played...
The star, who appeared in more than 100 films, suffered a heart attack at his Las Vegas home.
Among his dozens of screen roles, he voiced a prehistoric version of himself in Stone Age sitcom The Flintstones, which today celebrates its 50th anniversary.
In the cartoon's sixth and final season, which aired in 1965-1966, Wilma Flintstone wins a slave for the day, who happens to be the famous actor Stony Curtis (pictured far right in the image below).
Curtis was among many celebrity voices who appeared on the show; among others, Cary Grant appeared as Cary Granite, Perry Mason as Perry Masonry and Ann-Margret as Ann-Margrock.
Sir Roger Moore, who starred alongside Curtis in TV hit The Persuaders, said: "He was a fine actor. I shall miss him."
Sir Roger played...
- 9/30/2010
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
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