Ian Freebairn-Smith, a celebrated Grammy-winning composer known for his arrangement of the song “Evergreen” from the film “A Star Is Born,” passed away on October 7 in Folsom, California. He was 93 years old.
Freebairn-Smith, recognized as a composer, singer, and arranger, significantly influenced many of Hollywood’s most iconic film and television soundtracks throughout his career.
During the 1970s and 1980s, he crafted music for numerous television series, including “Airwolf,” “Fame,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “Magnum, P.I.,” and worked alongside songwriter Jimmy Webb to create a theme for “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
A native of Seattle, he relocated to Los Angeles in 1934, where he began his musical journey as a vocalist with The Singers Incorporated, collaborating with other notable singers like Perry Botkin, Jr., Sue Allen, Jimmy Bryant, and George Tipton.
In 1977, Freebairn-Smith received a Grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist for his work on “Evergreen,” which Barbra Streisand performed.
His extensive repertoire also includes scores for various television movies such as “The Curious Case Of The Campus Corpse” (1977), “Deadly Lessons” (1983), and “Three on a Match.” His vocal contributions can be heard in beloved film and TV soundtracks like “Batman,” “Flipper,” and the theme music for “Gilligan’s Island.”
Moreover, he lent his voice to the bass section in film scores for productions like “Peter Pan” (2003), “The Matrix Revolutions,” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008).
Freebairn-Smith also performed the main title song for Robert Altman’s classic film “M*A*S*H,” alongside the Ron Hicklin singers, and recorded Johnny Mandel’s “Suicide is Painless.” His work also extended to various records with the Impulse Records singing group, “The California Dreamers.”
He provided the singing voice for actor Ray Walston in Billy Wilder’s comedic film “Kiss Me, Stupid,” featuring Dean Martin.
Additionally, Freebairn-Smith had a notable radio career, with roles at Los Angeles radio stations KFAC, KKGO, KGIL, and KCSN, where he predominantly presented classical music. He maintained his position as the midday host at KCSN until 2009.
His creative talents also extended to dozens of commercial jingles for major companies including Chevron, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, Dubonnet Wine, and Pacific Bell. His unique “California Sound” was instrumental in boosting the commercial production scene in Los Angeles.
Furthermore, Freebairn-Smith worked on arranging music for an array of artists, including Andy Williams, Barbra Streisand, Stephen Bishop, Jeff Beck, Lou Rawls, Van Dyke Parks, John Klemmer, Anthony Newley, Randy Crawford, and folk musicians like Emitt Rhodes and Phil Ochs, as well as the rock band “The Ventures” and Lee Hazlewood.
He is survived by his brother Rod and his four daughters, Leslie, Alison, Jenifer, and Vanessa, three of whom are musicians, along with four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
