Larry Carlton--Theme From Hill Street Blues (1981)

     I have to admit to never being much of a TV watcher, even as a kid. My first (and only) "appointment television" show was "Hill Street Blues". People who would see the show today wouldn't realize it's significance, but it's groundbreaking style of a never ending storyline from show to show has affected television dramas ever since. Just like many themes from iconic shows, the first few bars grab you and let you know immediately what was ahead.
     Mike Post wrote the theme from 'Hill Street Blues", but it was Larry Carlton's guitar work that propelled the song (and won him a Grammy...one of four in his career).  He had spent much of the 70's as a top notch studio musician working on literally thousands of projects. Among them was Michael Jackson's, "Off The Wall" album, and Steely Dan's, "The Royal Scam" (he has that scorching solo on 'Kid Charlemagne'.)
     He still keeps busy playing, writing and producing. He also has a musical family as he is marred to Contemporary Christian Music singer, Michelle Pillar, and his niece is pop songstress Vanessa Carlton.