Mike Post

Mike Post
Name	Mike Post
Background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth name	Leland Michael Postil
Birth date	29 September 1944
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genre	Television music, Theme music, Rock, Jazz
Occupation	Composer, Record producer
Years active	1960s–present
Associated acts	Mason Williams, Larry Carlton, Pete Carpenter

Mike Post. Leland Michael Postil, known professionally as Mike Post, is an American composer and record producer renowned for his iconic contributions to television and film music. With a career spanning over five decades, he has created some of the most recognizable theme music in broadcast history, including themes for *Hill Street Blues*, *Law & Order*, and *The A-Team*. His innovative blending of rock, jazz, and orchestral elements has earned him multiple Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards, solidifying his status as a defining voice in modern television music.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles, Post developed an early interest in music, learning to play the piano and guitar during his youth. He attended California State University, Northridge, though his formal education was soon eclipsed by his burgeoning professional career in the Los Angeles music scene. His initial forays into music involved performing as a session musician and working with various bands, which provided a practical foundation in diverse musical styles and the technical aspects of recording and production.

Career

Post's career breakthrough came in the late 1960s when he began arranging and producing for singer Mason Williams, notably on the hit instrumental "Classical Gas". This success led to work in television, where he formed a prolific partnership with composer Pete Carpenter, scoring series such as *The Rockford Files* and *The A-Team*. After Carpenter's death, Post continued to dominate the medium, creating the seminal themes for Steven Bochco's groundbreaking series *Hill Street Blues* and *NYPD Blue*, as well as the instantly recognizable sonic signature for Dick Wolf's *Law & Order* franchise. His work has extended to scoring films like *The Horse Whisperer* and producing albums for artists including Larry Carlton.

Musical style and influences

Post's musical style is characterized by its sophisticated synthesis of American popular music forms, seamlessly integrating driving rock and roll rhythms, jazz fusion harmonies, and expansive orchestration. He cites influences ranging from The Beatles and Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" production techniques to classical composers and jazz greats. This eclectic approach allows his themes to function as potent narrative devices, often using minimalist motifs and contemporary instrumentation to evoke setting and character, thereby moving beyond traditional incidental music to become integral to a show's identity.

Notable works and collaborations

Among his vast catalog of television themes, some of the most notable include the gritty, blues-inflected score for *Hill Street Blues*, the stark electronic pulses of *Law & Order*, and the anthemic rock of *The A-Team*. His collaborations with producer Steven Bochco on series like *Doogie Howser, M.D.* and *NYPD Blue* were particularly influential. Beyond television, Post co-wrote and produced the Grammy Award-winning instrumental "The Theme from *Magnum, P.I.*" and has worked with notable musicians such as James Garner (for *The Rockford Files* theme) and guitarist Larry Carlton.

Awards and recognition

Post has received widespread critical acclaim, winning five Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on *Hill Street Blues*, *NYPD Blue*, and *The Rockford Files*. He has also been honored with four Grammy Awards, including for "The Theme from *Magnum, P.I.*". In 2004, he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, and his theme for *Law & Order* remains one of the most broadcast pieces of music in television history. His contributions have been recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers with numerous awards.

Personal life

Post maintains a relatively private personal life, residing in California and remaining active in music composition and production. He is known for his deep passion for musicology and sound design, often lecturing on the craft of scoring for visual media. His legacy is cemented not only by his awards but by the enduring cultural imprint of his music, which continues to define the sound of American television for multiple generations.

Category:American television composers Category:American record producers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Emmy Award winners Category:1944 births Category:Living people