They used the HAPPY DAYS song to close the show for the first two seasons and used ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK as the show's theme song. Why didn't they just use the closing theme song initially?

I heard (And dont quote me on it) that they used RATC as a way to "cash in" on the movie American Graffitti, which also starred Ron Howard in a similar role and, which also used RATC as its opening theme song

Maybe they couldn't afford to use RATC anymore (licensing/royalty issues)??? :confused:

I don't know why they didn't just start off with "Happy Days" right from the beginning, but I do know why they switched. "Rock Around the Clock" was making a lot of money in record sales because of its use on the show. The producers wanted to cash in on this, so they ditched "Rock Around the Clock" in favor of their own "Happy Days."

I heard (And dont quote me on it) that they used RATC as a way to "cash in" on the movie American Graffitti, which also starred Ron Howard in a similar role and, which also used RATC as its opening theme song
I never knew that!

I don't know why they didn't just start off with "Happy Days" right from the beginning, but I do know why they switched. "Rock Around the Clock" was making a lot of money in record sales because of its use on the show. The producers wanted to cash in on this, so they ditched "Rock Around the Clock" in favor of their own "Happy Days."
Really?

I have always wondered why they just didn't use the Happy Days song too.

Mikey, that sure sounds like that could be the reason. Man, both of you came up with two good points.

The RATC opening made the show seem too 50ish to me when I was a preteen and I was only interested in the season 3 credits and after. I know that was the era of the show but I just liked season 3 and after a lot more

The RATC opening made the show seem too 50ish to me when I was a preteen and I was only interested in the season 3 credits and after. I know that was the era of the show but I just liked season 3 and after a lot more
Interesting. I loved HD during its first run up until Richie left. Looking back I realize I so much loved Seasons 1 and 2 before they turned into filming with a live audience.

Interesting. I loved HD during its first run up until Richie left. Looking back I realize I so much loved Seasons 1 and 2 before they turned into filming with a live audience.
:yeahthat

The biggest mistake they made was giving "Fonzie" a major part on the show! :barf:

:yeahthat

The biggest mistake they made was giving "Fonzie" a major part on the show! :barf:
That's what made it a hit. Up until the 3rd season HD was a struggling show.

Not with me, the more Fonzie they showed, the less i liked it....anyway, the show was better when he was a bit player, hit or not

:yeahthat

The biggest mistake they made was giving "Fonzie" a major part on the show! :barf:
I have to agree with Sonny. I loved HD, especially with Fonzie. It was when he became "uncool" and a caricature that it was ridiculous, not to mention Richie leaving and leaving us with Chachi and that stupid other kid, what was his name? He was played by Billy Warlock. :puke:
Let's not forget the forgettable Jenny Piccalo.

I have to agree with Sonny. I loved HD, especially with Fonzie. It was when he became "uncool" and a caricature that it was ridiculous, not to mention Richie leaving and leaving us with Chachi and that stupid other kid, what was his name? He was played by Billy Warlock. :puke:
Let's not forget the forgettable Jenny Piccalo.
Flip was the character played by Billy Warlock, who later on won an Emmy on Days of Our Lives. I too enjoyed the earlier seasons when Fonzie is merely a supporting character, and ESPECIALLY before the annoying, shrieking studio audience was brought in. puke:

Not with me, the more Fonzie they showed, the less i liked it....anyway, the show was better when he was a bit player, hit or not
To me, Ron Howard was/is the REAL star of Happy Days.

To me, Ron Howard was/is the REAL star of Happy Days.:yeahthat , Cat ;)

^ :D Great minds think alike!

Flip was the character played by Billy Warlock, who later on won an Emmy on Days of Our Lives. I too enjoyed the earlier seasons when Fonzie is merely a supporting character, and ESPECIALLY before the annoying, shrieking studio audience was brought in. puke:
Thank you Salt Sister! Flip, yes, what a dumb name. Hey Flip...let me flip you this...*censored*

Thank you Salt Sister! Flip, yes, what a dumb name. Hey Flip...let me flip you this...*censored*
His character was Ted McGinley's character's brother...enough said. :lol:

His character was Ted McGinley's character's brother...enough said. :lol:
Oh God, that's right. See, those episodes I couldn't get into that much, which is why I can't remember the details. :crazy:

Interesting. I loved HD during its first run up until Richie left. Looking back I realize I so much loved Seasons 1 and 2 before they turned into filming with a live audience.


The early seasons have that "Wonder Years" quality of storymaking. When the show started to focus on Fonz, the Superhero, it lost some of its charm and believability.

I don't know why they didn't just start off with "Happy Days" right from the beginning, but I do know why they switched. "Rock Around the Clock" was making a lot of money in record sales because of its use on the show. The producers wanted to cash in on this, so they ditched "Rock Around the Clock" in favor of their own "Happy Days."

I do know that RATC became a Top 40 hit again because of the exposure.

Let's not forget the forgettable Jenny Piccalo.

She was a character that should have stayed "unseen". Why on earth was Joanie friends with her was beyond reason!:eek:

She was a character that should have stayed "unseen". Why on earth was Joanie friends with her was beyond reason!:eek:
:lol: The Joanie we seen as a teen had her moments (smoking, being with a gang, etc.), those are the kind of things Jenny would be doing, although, we never saw Jenny's character as you pointed out. Later on though, we see a more mature Joanie and it didn't make sense to see her hanging out with someone like Jenny.

I'm glad I found this thread. I was wondering why they changed the theme song. At first I didn't really like the "Rock Around the Clock" theme, but now I think I like it more than the "Happy Days" song. The "Happy Days" song seems more "modern" for some reason. Was this an original song, or was it a song that had already been recorded?

"Rock Around the Clock" was making a lot of money in record sales because of its use on the show. The producers wanted to cash in on this, so they ditched "Rock Around the Clock" in favor of their own "Happy Days."

Not to contradict you, Anglemark, but this doesn't make sense to me. RATC was making money and the producers wanted to cash in so they changed it? I would think that would have made them want to keep it! :confused:

Andrea

:yeahthat

The biggest mistake they made was giving "Fonzie" a major part on the show! :barf:

Never Again. I loved Richie, but Fonzie was great as well. I really liked Chachi too but not many people are going to agree with me on that :lol:. That's ok.

The "Happy Days" song seems more "modern" for some reason. Was this an original song, or was it a song that had already been recorded?
It was an original song written for the series.

Not to contradict you, Anglemark, but this doesn't make sense to me. RATC was making money and the producers wanted to cash in so they changed it? I would think that would have made them want to keep it! :confused:

Andrea

"Rock Around the Clock" was making money, but not for those involved with the show. It was making money for the rights holders of the song. Producers of Happy Days wanted to make money, so they used the original tune, "Happy Days" they had already been using for the closing theme, re-did it, and put in in the opening title sequence. They released it as a single, and began making money for themselves.

Yeah, it's all about money....

It was an original song written for the series.
That's funny, then because I've heard it on the oldies stations! Then again, Happy Days is classic TV now!


"Rock Around the Clock" was making money, but not for those involved with the show. It was making money for the rights holders of the song. Producers of Happy Days wanted to make money, so they used the original tune, "Happy Days" they had already been using for the closing theme, re-did it, and put in in the opening title sequence. They released it as a single, and began making money for themselves.


Got it... thanks!

Andrea