The Story of Frank Gari

Frank Gari made a name for himself in two worlds. First, as a chart-topping singer-songwriter in the early 1960s. Then, as one of the most influential composers of television jingles and news themes in the United States and abroad.

Known for hits like “Utopia,” “Lullaby of Love,” and “Princess,” Gari charmed young audiences during the golden era of American pop. But his lasting legacy came from crafting some of the most recognizable sounds in broadcast media—heard on ABC, Sky News, RTL, and dozens of local TV stations across the globe.

Frank Gari
Full Name	Frank Daniel Garofalo
Born	April 1, 1944 – New York City, NY
Genres	Pop, Easy Listening, Television Themes
Known For	“Utopia,” “Lullaby of Love,” “Princess,” TV news themes
Years Active	1959–2015
Notable Labels	Capitol Records
Notable TV Shows	Eyewitness News, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show
Key Clients	ABC, CBS, Sky News, RTL Germany, ABS-CBN
Business Acquisition	Gari Communications bought by Warner/Chappell in 2015
Awards	Clio Awards, Emmy Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award

Early Life and Pop Career

Born in New York City, Frank Gari showed musical talent early. In the late 1950s, he began his career as a solo artist, releasing a series of pop singles. By the early 1960s, his songs began climbing the charts.

His debut hit “Utopia” reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1960. It introduced audiences to Gari’s smooth vocal style and upbeat production. A few months later, “Lullaby of Love” peaked at #23, followed by “Princess” at #30, both in 1961. Gari’s ability to blend innocence with catchiness made him a teen idol.

During this time, Gari appeared on popular programs like:

• American Bandstand

• The Merv Griffin Show

• The Steve Allen Show

He also performed live with the Woody Herman Band at the Waldorf-Astoria’s famed “Imperial Room,” a prestigious venue for rising artists.

Collaborations and The City Surfers

Gari later teamed up with Roger McGuinn (future co-founder of The Byrds) to form The City Surfers. Signed to Capitol Records, they released the song “Beach Ball.” Though it wasn’t a commercial hit, it demonstrated Gari’s interest in evolving beyond solo pop into more collaborative and experimental work.

This period also introduced Gari to the world of songwriting and behind-the-scenes production—skills he would later use to revolutionize broadcast media music.

Shift to Jingles and Commercial Music

In 1963, Gari relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he began writing commercial jingles. This marked a major career transition. His early clients included:

• Ohio Bell (telecommunications)

• Genie (garage doors)

• Wendy’s (fast food chain)

His catchy ad tunes earned immediate praise, and before long, Gari became one of the most sought-after commercial music writers in the country. He received multiple Clio Awards and Emmy Awards, cementing his status in the advertising industry.

Rise as a Broadcast Theme Composer

In 1970, Gari launched his broadcast theme music career with the image campaign “Catch 5” for Cleveland’s WEWS-TV. The package was upbeat, modern, and perfectly timed for television’s transition into a flashier, more branded medium.

During the 1980s, Gari began a long-standing relationship with the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). He created memorable campaigns including:

• Now is the Time

• ABC is the Place

• Come On Along with ABC

• You’ll Love It on ABC (based on Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”)

• That Special Feeling on ABC

He also composed theme music for news programs such as:

• Eyewitness News

• Good Morning America

• CBS This Morning

• The Phil Donahue Show

• The Oprah Winfrey Show

Working with fellow composer Artie Schroeck, Gari pushed the boundaries of TV music, blending pop elements with professional polish. His themes were clean, memorable, and emotionally resonant—exactly what stations needed.

“Hello” Image Campaign

One of Gari’s biggest successes was the “Hello” image campaign, which premiered in 1977 with “Hey Milwaukee” on WISN-TV. The concept was simple but powerful: a customized song tailored to each media market.

Over 120 stations across the U.S., Canada, South America, and Australia adopted the format. Lyrics were customized with city names and local landmarks, giving each version a personal touch while maintaining a universal appeal.

Singer Florence Warner was featured on many renditions, though some stations used local artists. KUTV in Utah even used The Osmonds for their campaign.

The “Hello” campaign became so iconic that it was featured in a 2014 episode of This American Life titled “No Place Like Home”, where host Ira Glass interviewed a fan who had assumed the jingle was unique to his hometown.

Work for International Networks

Gari’s influence extended far beyond the U.S. In 1993, he composed the “Sky Symphony” for BSkyB in Europe. Two years later, he created “It’s On Sky,” which became the sonic identity of Sky One, Sky Movies, and Sky Soap.

In Germany, his theme “News Line” became the soundtrack for RTL Television’s main newscast. The theme was later adopted by Maryland Public Television and by ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol in the Philippines.

Other international clients included:

• MBC 1 (Middle East)

• Pro TV (Romania)

• Markiza (Slovakia)

• MTV Lebanon

• Channel 7 (Thailand)

Later Years and Business Acquisition

Gari continued composing into the 2000s. In 2015, his company Gari Communications was acquired by Warner/Chappell Production Music, a division of Warner Music Group. This acquisition helped preserve and distribute his vast catalog of themes to future generations.

Notable Singles (U.S. Pop Charts)