Glen A. Larson (1937-2014)

We all remember Glen A. Larson as a prolific producer of television shows in the 70's & 80's, including yesterday's subject, Automan, as well as Switch, The Fall Guy, Knight Rider, Alias Smith & Jones, The Hardy Boys-Nancy Drew Mysteries, B. J. & The Bear, & the original Battlestar Galactica, just to name a few. But Larson, who passed away earlier this week at 77, was also a singer and a songwriter. Well, the writing part we knew about, since he composed some of the themes to his shows........

Larson's first meeting with fame came as a member of the vocal quartet, the Four Preps. The Preps' biggest hit, "26 Miles", peaked at #2 on the pop chart, and was co-written by Larson, who sang baritone. The Preps also regularly backed up Ricky Nelson on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, and made 2 appearances on the Saturday Beech-Nut Show, hosted by Dick Clark.

Following is a compilation of those appearances, with the Preps performing "Down at the Station" and "26 Miles". Seeing Clark made up as an old prospector, with beard, is worth the price of admission alone, since few of us have seen him as anything but clean shaven.



We will continue to showcase some of the shows from the Larson collection during the remainder of the week. Rest in peace, Glen.