Grammy Winner Ian Freebairn-Smith, ‘A Star Is Born’ Arranger, Dead at 93

Ian Freebairn-Smith, an acclaimed Grammy-winning arranger known for his work on Barbra Streisand’s 1976 song “Evergreen” from A Star is Born, and a composer for television shows like Cagney & Lacey and Magnum, P.I., passed away on October 7 in Folsom, California, at the age of 93.

His family confirmed his passing.

Freebairn-Smith was born on March 4, 1932, in Seattle, Washington to Thomas Freebairn-Smith, a Welsh radio broadcaster who later became the first executive secretary of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Peers. The family relocated to California when he was three years old, where he was raised in Sherman Oaks and Studio City.

Initially starting his career as a vocalist, Freebairn-Smith shifted to composing and scored numerous TV episodes throughout the 1980s. His credits include Magnum P.I., Cagney and Lacey, Airwolf, and Fame. Alongside Jimmy Webb, he co-authored the theme song for the 1982-83 series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

In the realm of film, he crafted the score for the 1970 anti-war film The Strawberry Statement and served as the conductor and musical arranger for Burt Reynolds’ 1978 movie The End, as well as for 1979’s The Muppet Movie. He notably arranged the song “Rainbow Connection,” which reached the top 25 on the pop charts.

Freebairn-Smith earned the Grammy for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist for his work on “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born),” a song that not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in March 1977 but also reached number one in Canada. The soundtrack of A Star Is Born itself was number one on the Billboard 200 for six weeks.

Earlier in his career, he was a session vocalist with groups like Singers Incorporated and The Ron Hicklin Singers, contributing to TV classics such as Flipper, Batman, and Gilligan’s Island. With the Hicklin group, he recorded vocals for “Suicide Is Painless,” the theme for the 1970 film MASH, which was also adopted for the TV series.

Throughout his career, Freebairn-Smith continued to provide uncredited bass vocals for films including 2008’s The Day the Earth Stood Still and 2003’s The Matrix Revolutions.

Furthermore, he arranged music for artists like Stephen Bishop, Liza Minnelli, Frankie Avalon, Phil Ochs, Andy Williams, and Jeff Beck. Stephen Bishop expressed his sentiments on Facebook, stating, “We are losing too many legends. A wonderful person and an incredible talent. It was always a pleasure to work with him.”

Freebairn-Smith also hosted radio shows for several Los Angeles stations and created commercial jingles for companies such as Chevron, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, and Pacific Bell.

He leaves behind his brother Rod Freebairn-Smith; daughters Leslie, Alison, Jenifer, and Vanessa; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his second wife, violinist Shari Zippert, in 2024. His first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Billie Jean Mercer.