Ian Freebairn-Smith, Grammy-Winning Composer Who Arranged for ‘A Star Is Born’ and Sang ‘MASH’ Title Song, Dies at 93

Ian Freebairn-Smith, the Grammy-winning composer who arranged “Evergreen” from “A Star Is Born,” died on Oct. 7 in Folsom, Calif. He was 93.

The composer, vocalist and arranger was widely recognized for his work that shaped many of Hollywood’s most notable film and TV soundtracks.

In the 1970s and 1980s, he composed scores for TV shows such as “Airwolf,” “Fame,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “Magnum, P.I.” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” collaborating with songwriter Jimmy Webb on a theme song for the latter.

The Seattle native moved to Los Angeles in 1934 and began his career as a group singer with The Singers Incorporated, working alongside fellow vocalists Perry Botkin, Jr., Sue Allen, Jimmy Bryant and George Tipton.

In 1977, he won a Grammy award for best arrangement accompanying a vocalist for “Evergreen,” which was performed by Barbra Streisand.

His credits also include scores for several TV movies like “The Curious Case Of The Campus Corpse” (1977), “Deadly Lessons” (1983) and “Three on a Match.” Freebairn-Smith’s voice can be heard on numerous film and TV soundtracks such as “Batman,” “Flipper “and “Gilligan’s Island” TV series’ theme songs.

He also worked on the bass section on film scores for “Peter Pan” (2003), “The Matrix Revolutions” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008).

The arranger voiced the main title song for Robert Altman’s film “M*A*S*H” with the Ron Hicklin singers, Johnny Mandel’s “Suicide is Painless,” plus several records for Impulse Records singing group “The California Dreamers.”

He also provided the singing voice of Ray Walston in the Billy Wilder comedy starring Dean Martin, “Kiss Me Stupid.”

Freebairn-Smith also boasted a lengthy radio career, including stints on Los Angeles radio stations KFAC, KKGO, KGIL and KCSN, mostly airing classical music. He was the midday personality at KCSN until 2009.

Freebairn-Smith’s works also feature collaborations on dozens of commercial jingles for Chevron, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, Dubonnet Wine, Pacific Bell, among others. His “California Sound” was credited with bringing a huge increase in commercial production to Los Angeles.

Additionally, the composer’s arranging work included charts for Andy Williams, Streisand, Stephen Bishop, Jeff Beck, Lou Rawls, Van Dyke Parks, John Klemmer, Anthony Newley, Randy Crawford, folk artists Emitt Rhodes and Phil Ochs, rock band “The Ventures” and Lee Hazlewood.

Freebairn-Smith is survived by his brother Rod, and four daughters, Leslie, Alison, Jenifer and Vanessa, three of whom are musicians, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.