Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mike Post’s Net Worth?
Mike Post, an eminent American composer and record producer, boasts a substantial net worth estimated at $50 million. This financial accomplishment is primarily attributed to his prosperous career in creating iconic television theme music, including for acclaimed shows like “Law & Order,” “The A-Team,” “L.A. Law,” “Hill Street Blues,” and “The Rockford Files,” among a plethora of others. In addition to composing, Post also holds the distinction of producing Mason Williams’s hit single “Classical Gas” and contributing to albums by renowned artists such as Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Van Halen.
The Lucrative “Dun Dun” and Other Career Highlights
One of the most fascinating financial narratives surrounding Mike Post’s career revolves around the ubiquitous “dun dun” sound, now synonymous with the “Law & Order” franchise. The sound was created just before the 1990 premiere of the first “Law & Order.” Dick Wolf, the series creator, contacted Mike Post requesting a distinctive sound for the cards displaying location and timestamp. Post blended the sound of a jail cell door slamming shut, a hammer hitting an anvil, drum noises, and the sound of 100 men stomping on a wooden floor. Due to Post’s composition of “dun dun,” it is treated as a piece of music. This distinction means Post receives royalties every time the sound is played. This has generated a considerable income stream. One well-placed composer source told me off the record that Mike Post has made more than $30 million to date off “dun dun” alone. A three-second sound.
Post’s career began to take shape in the early 1960s, starting with cutting demos for the Fischer sisters. He contributed to their success as the Murmaids, notably with their one-hit single “Popsicles and Icicles” in 1964. His greatest commercial success yet came toward the end of the decade, in 1968, when he produced Mason Williams’s instrumental piece “Classical Gas.” Reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100, it also earned Post the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement.
Post’s breakthrough in television theme music arrived in 1974 with “The Rockford Files,” co-composed with Pete Carpenter. This theme became a top-ten hit and garnered Post another Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement. He continued his success with the theme for “Hill Street Blues” in 1981, securing another top-ten hit and two more Grammy Awards. He later won another Grammy for “L.A. Law.” He became the favored composer for Dick Wolf, Steven Bochco, Stephen J. Cannell, and Donald P. Bellisario. His prolific output includes themes for series like “NYPD Blue,” “Murder One,” “Hunter,” “The A-Team,” “Blossom,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “NewsRadio,” “Quantum Leap,” “Silk Stalkings,” “Wiseguy,” “Renegade,” “The Commish,” and “Hardcastle and McCormick.”
He also created the theme for the “Law & Order” franchise, including the iconic “dun, dun” sound effect, and the theme for “The Greatest American Hero,” which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the US, Post composed music for the BBC series “Roughnecks.”
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Leland Michael Postil on September 29, 1944, in Berkeley, California, Mike Post’s early life was rooted in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. His musical journey began at the age of six with piano lessons, and by 15, he was performing in clubs throughout Los Angeles. He attended Grant High School for his education. Post performed with various rock groups and had a brief stint in a topless club’s house band in San Francisco before forming the folk ensemble the Wellingbrook Singers.
Post’s initial forays into the music industry involved working with Los Angeles recording artists. He played a crucial role in developing demos for singing sisters Terry and Carol Fischer, later known as the Murmaids. In addition to his work with the Murmaids, Post also provided guidance to the garage rock band the Outcasts, contributing as a songwriter and producer on their debut single. These early experiences laid the foundation for his future success.
Production Work and Other Musical Endeavors
As a producer, Post’s early work included producing the first three albums Kenny Rogers recorded with his group, the First Edition, between 1967 and 1969. Later, in 1980, he co-produced Dolly Parton’s hit album “9 to 5 and Odd Jobs,” which remained at number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart for ten straight weeks. Additionally, he co-produced Van Halen’s 1998 album “Van Halen III.”
As part of the Mike Post Coalition in the 70s, Post released the single “Afternoon of the Rhino.” The song charted on the UK Singles Chart at number 47 in 1975. The same year, Post charted in the US with his cover of the instrumental piece “Manhattan Spiritual.” In later releases, he issued an album in 1994 entitled “Inventions from the Blue Line,” which contains a number of his best-known television themes.
The Pete Carpenter Fellowship
In 1989, Post partnered with the BMI Foundation to establish the Pete Carpenter Fellowship, honoring his late collaborator. This annual fellowship supports aspiring composers in television, film, and video games, providing them with a residency to hone their craft.
Personal Life
Mike Post’s personal life includes a previous marriage to Patty McGettigan. He later married Darla Eyer, with whom he has two children named Aaron and Jennifer.
