I have an album entitled LORD OF THE RINGS by organist Bo Hanson, excerpts
of which were used as an early theme of the science fiction radio talk show
HOUR 25 which broadcast out of Los Angeles (and for a time was hosted by
Harlan Ellison). Hanson did a similar tribute album for Adams' WATERSHIP
DOWN. I also recall that Frank Herbert was not too pleased to discover that
a jazz artist created an album called DUNE inspired by his book (I have it
and it was not bad). Ted Hughes' IRON MAN was made into a mini-rock opera
by Pete Townshend. There was a music inspired by BATTLEFIELD EARTH CD, but
I've never heard it. Other composers have been inspired by SF, including
Jimi Hendrix, Paul Kantner (BLOWS AGAINST THE EMPIRE), Roger Waters (RADIO
K.O.A.S.), Phillip Glass (EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) and
others. I believe Phil Dick's novel VALIS was transformed into an opera,
but I haven't heard it yet. (Took me long enough to get around to Addams'
NIXON IN CHINA). Anybody been encountering some truly celestial music?
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