Variations on ‘Chimes’, The Tonight Show Theme


From 1964, Stan Zabka’s Tonight Show theme, which incorporated the NBC Chimes. This is performed by the Paris Strings. Following that, Stan Zabka and orchestra with his NBC Sports version of Chimes.

This was prior to the Paul Anka version, which was released in 1965.



The Tonight Show theme (1964) – NBC Sports theme – CHIMES by Stan Zabka (3:20)

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Author: Jason Remington

Creator, Admin, & Editor of QZVX, former broadcaster at KTOY FM/Tacoma, KVAC/Forks , KDFL/Sumner, KTTX & KWHI FM/Brenham (TX), KONP/Port Angeles, KBAM/Longview, KJUN/Puyallup, KRPM FM/Tacoma, KAMT/Tacoma, KASY/Auburn, KBRD FM/Tacoma, KTAC/Tacoma, KMTT FM/Tacoma, and KOOL FM/Phoenix. -- Airchecks
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2 thoughts on “Variations on ‘Chimes’, The Tonight Show Theme

  1. Many years ago I agreed a copy of the first NBC theme on this track, I don’t recall where I got it and never heard it in use. Never heard the second track, but it’s good, too.

  2. The three tones that have always identified NBC are relevant. The notes are G, E, and C which happen to be the first letters of General Electric Company and reveal its role in the formation of the network.

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