Hockey Night in Canada theme composer Dolores Claman is shown in an undated handout photo. Claman, the composer behind the former “Hockey Night in Canada” theme song, has died at 94. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO – SOCAN)
TORONTO — Dolores Claman, the woman behind the catchy tune that used to introduce “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcasts, has died at 94.
Claman’s daughter Madeleine Morris said Saturday that her mother died in Spain this week, about two years after she was diagnosed with dementia.
“She was a good, ripe old age, and she had an incredible life,” Morris told The Canadian Press. “I’m teary from time to time, but mostly I’m thankful she’s in peace.”
Claman was born in Vancouver, grew up with an opera singer for a mother and studied at the University of Southern California, before being accepted to the Juilliard School in New York to train as a performing concert pianist, said Morris.
By the time she graduated, Claman decided she would rather be a composer and had developed a love of jazz, Morris recalled.
I am surprised that there were no comments about Dolores Claman’s passing. She was a remarkable lady and left us two noteworthy compositions. It would have been interesting to know about the other work that she composed. I am sure that she was the author of many familiar jingles over the years.
I am surprised that there were no comments about Dolores Claman’s passing. She was a remarkable lady and left us two noteworthy compositions. It would have been interesting to know about the other work that she composed. I am sure that she was the author of many familiar jingles over the years.