1984 Summer Olympics - Music

Music

John Williams composed the theme for the Olympiad, "Olympic Fanfare and Theme". This piece won a Grammy for Williams and became one of the most well-known musical themes of the Olympic Games, along with Leo Arnaud's "Bugler's Dream"; the latter is sometimes attached to the beginning of Olympic Fanfare and Theme. An album, The Official Music of the XXIII Olympiad—Los Angeles 1984, featured both of those tracks along with sports themes written for the occasion by popular musical artists including Foreigner, Toto, Loverboy, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Christopher Cross, Philip Glass and Giorgio Moroder. The album was released on Columbia Records and the catalogue number was BJS 39322.

The famous Brazilian composer SĂ©rgio Mendes also composed a special song for the 1984 Olympic Games, "Olympia," from his 1984 album Confetti. A choir of approximately one thousand voices was assembled of singers in the region. All were volunteers from nearby churches, schools and universities.

Etta James performed the National Anthem of the United States at the Opening Ceremony.

Lionel Richie performed a 9 minute version of his hit single "All Night Long" at the closing ceremonies.

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Famous quotes containing the word music:

    Words move, music moves
    Only in time; but that which is only living
    Can only die. Words, after speech, reach
    Into the silence.
    —T.S. (Thomas Stearns)

    Nearly all the bands are mustered out of service; ours therefore is a novelty. We marched a few miles yesterday on a road where troops have not before marched. It was funny to see the children. I saw our boys running after the music in many a group of clean, bright-looking, excited little fellows.
    Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)

    Not to sink under being man and wife,
    But get some color and music out of life?
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)