NEW 📀 A Fifth Of Beethoven - Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band {Stereo} Summer 1976

19676......#1 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 U.S. Cash Box Top 100, #1 Canada, #15 Australia, #7 New Zealand
Original video from "The Midnight Special" TV program edited and AI remastered with HQ stereo sound.
"A Fifth of Beethoven" is a disco instrumental recorded by Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band, adapted from the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. The record was produced by production music and sound effects recording producer Thomas J. Valentino. The "Fifth" in the song's title is a pun, referencing a liquid measure approximately equal to one-fifth of a gallon, a popular size for bottles containing liquor, as well as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony from which the song was adapted.
Released as a single by Private Stock Records in 1976, the song debuted at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and climbed to number 1 within 19 weeks, remaining there for one week. In 1977, it was licensed to RSO Records for inclusion on the best-selling Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The song is one of Murphy's few Top 40 hits.
In college, Murphy's interests included rock music, particularly that which was adapted from classical music, such as "Joy" by Apollo 100 and "A Lover's Concerto" by The Toys. Later, in 1976, while writing a disco song for a commercial, a producer suggested the idea of "updating classical music", which "nobody [has] done lately". He then recorded a demo tape of five songs—three were ordinary pop songs, while the fourth was a disco rendition of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony titled "A Fifth of Beethoven"—mailing it to various record labels in New York City.
The response was underwhelming, but "Fifth" caught the interest of Private Stock Records owner Larry Uttal. Murphy signed on to Private Stock and recorded the album A Fifth of Beethoven, containing the title track and first single of the same name. The single was credited to "Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band" upon encouragement from Private Stock, which believed it would be more successful if credited to a group rather than an individual. However, two days following the record's release, Private Stock discovered the existence of another Big Apple Band (which promptly changed its name to Chic). The record was later re-released and credited to "The Walter Murphy Band", then simply to "Walter Murphy".
"A Fifth of Beethoven" started at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually reached number 1 within 19 weeks, where it stayed for one week. The single sold two million copies, while the album sold about 750,000 copies. The second single, a rendition of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee", titled "Flight '76", reached number 44 on the Hot 100.
In addition to Saturday Night Fever, it appears in a heavily edited form in the movie House of Gucci. It is used as the theme of the television miniseries Mrs. America.

[smurfstoolsoldiesmusictimemach]

Welcome to Smurfstools Oldies Music Time Machine!
We provide classic video music clips from the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and occasionally the 1980's. We are dedicated in improving your viewing and listening pleasure by editing, restoring and remastering vintage film clips. Enjoy!

[tbascoebuzz]

So well done. Even Beethoven would’ve been impressed.

[nothingbutoldies]

Just awesome and brings back so many memories of my old “disco days” - I remember that it was the opening song of the discotheque I often used to go to😃👍. Many thanks Sammy, have a really great weekend! Cheers, E.H.

[mehcol]

very Boogie Nights-ish fab times, roller girl. remember those days with flares, purple cords, loons and patchouli oil. great stuff

[sammy]

Walter Murphy hit it big with this unique classical instrumental hit

[ceilconstante]

We can't go back to the 60's, 70's and 80's but thanks to Smurfstool Oldies Music Machine we can watch restored footage and listen to the songs we love with great sound!

First time iv`e seen the band Great sound, Beethoven would be well Chuffed Thanks

[Sticks-of-TNT-tftn]

Sorry, I was Havaña Daydreamin’ with Jimmy Buffett in the Florida Keys in ‘76 and I missed that one.

Still added it to my 1976 playlist and a thumbs up as a tribute to this channel and our host’s eclectic taste in pop music. Thanks Sammy! 🧨

[jacob]

Very good matching the stereo to HQ video Sammy.