R.i.P. Mark Snow

Mark Snow, composer of the X-Files theme and countless other soundtracks, has died at age 78.

I remember picking out the X-Files theme by ear on my school’s clavinova after choir rehearsals.

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From the Times obit:

It took a stroke of serendipity to land on a theme worthy of the show [“X-Files”]. One day in his studio, Mr. Snow accidentally leaned his elbow on a keyboard that was set with a spacey echo-delay effect. He quickly concluded that it would be the perfect foundation of the theme. Looking for a spooky element to flesh it out, he ran across an intriguing sample called “Whistling Joe” on his E-mu Proteus synthesizer.

His wife, Glynnis, was also intrigued by the sound, Mr. Snow told NPR. She told him: “You know, I’m a good whistler too. Maybe I could beef it up a little bit.’” A combination of her whistling and the machine’s ended up in the show’s opening credits.

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Oh man, we’ve been rewatching X-Files from the begining, the sound of the E-mu Proteus and various 90s romplers are all over it. I kinda love the sound in a very nostalgic way, and the theme is of course legendary

RIP

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RIP Mark. Nobody used that Whistlin’ Joe preset as well as you did.

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Recently watched every episode of the X-Files series (including the two newest one) and the movies. Had a great time. Brilliant theme song - iconic, timeless, restrained, mysterious.

RIP Mark.

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His music made one of the best shows what it was. The most iconic TV scoring of the 90s.

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Oh no, very sad news :pensive:

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Oh no…RIP mr. Snow. Yeah, that X-Files music…nothing is forever, sadly.

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He did some great work for shows such as Vega$, Hart to Hart, TJ Hooker, etc too. Also, season 3 Starsky & Hutch theme tune.

RIP Mark Snow.

G

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