The Avengers - Dead Duck

Recordings

Seasons Four, Five and Six Theme Music (Laurie Johnson) (Original)

7" Vinyl

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - Theme From the TV Series "The Avengers", Minor Bossa Nova (Pye 7N 1701, December 1965). Great Britain.
This is the version of the theme you all know. Da da der der...

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - Theme From the TV Series "The Avengers", Minor Bossa Nova (Hanna Barbera Records HB 470, 1966). USA.
This is the same recording as the UK release.

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - Theme From the TV Series "The Avengers", Minor Bossa Nova (PYE/Hitton HT 300116, date unnknown). Germany.
This features a shot of Diana Rigg wearing the Emmapeelers from the first of the colour episodes, suggesting that it was issued later than the UK release. This is the same recording as the UK release.

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - The Original Theme From "The Avengers", Minor Bossa Nova (Pye Records PYE 806, year unknown). Canada. This is the same recording as the UK release.

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - The Original Theme From "The Avengers", T.V. Themes 1966, PYE NEP 24244, 1966, Great Britain.
This Various Artists EP also features the themes from 'The Spies', 'The Power Game' and 'The Fugitive'. This is the same recording as the UK release.

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - The Original Theme From "The Avengers", 'T.V. Themes - A Gift From Pascall Murray, MCPS ATV 1, February 1969, Great Britain.
This is the same recording as the UK release. This came free with some form of confectionery - suggestions, anybody? Murray Mints??

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - Los Vengadores, Temas de TV, Discos GAMMA (GX 07 685), 1969, Mexico.
As this was licenced from Pye I've made the assumption that it's the original version on this EP that also featured the theme music for The Champions, Department S and The Saint.

12" Vinyl

The Laurie Johnson Orchestra - The Avengers (Hanna Barbera, 1966).
This is basically The Big New Sound Strikes Again (see here) minus The Shake, but plus The Avengers Theme. The piece in Record Collector indicated that there was a various artists LP called The Avengers theme and other TV Music. Were there two US LPs?

Laurie Johnson Orchestra - The Avengers and Other Favourites (Marble Arch, MAL 695, 1967).
Features the usual Peel-era theme, but also boasts a delicious cover featuring Steed and Mrs Peel. The rest of the LP is not for me.

Compact Disc

Laurie Johnson Orchestra - The Professional: The Very Best of Laurie Johnson (Redial 5572102). April 1998. I believe this is the version featured on the above vinyl releases, but have not been able to confirm this yet.

Note: This version has appeared on a number of compilation CDs.

Cover of Pye 7N 1701
Pye 7N 1701 (UK 7")

Cover of HB 470
HB 470 (US 7")

Cover of PYE/Hitton HT 300116
PYE/Hitton HT 300116 (German 7")

Cover of PYE NEP 24244
PYE NEP 24244 (UK 7")


Discos GAMMA (GX 07 685)

Cover of Hanna Barbera US LP
Hanna Barbera US LP

on to
Seasons Four, Five and Six Cover Versions