Biography for
Edwin Astley More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

12 April 1922, Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK

Date of Death

19 May 1998, Goring, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Birth Name

Edwin Thomas Astley

Spouse

Hazel Balbirnie

(1945 - ?)

Trade Mark

Very keen on using ascending/descending minor chords in his scores

Trivia

Father-in-law of rock-and-roll guitarist/composer Pete Townshend, who married his daughter Karen.

Was a keen artists, amateur filmmaker and student of philosophy.

His original theme-tune for "Danger Man" (1960) utilised the show's title in the score.

Composed the famous opening fanfare for "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1955).

As a youth, he performed with the Royal Army Service Corps Band, playing clarinet, saxophone and arranging. After World War II, he formed his own dance band, the Ted Astley Orchestra. He later moved to London to work as arranger for music publishers Francis, Day and Hunter.

During the 1950's, did much of his film work for the Danziger Brothers on low budget productions.

Composed for sound-and-light performances staged at Hampton Court and at the Giza Pyramids.

His theme for "Danger Man" was unique in its use of harpsichord.

He was the first composer active in British television, who was grounded in jazz.