In 1984 when I lived in Scottsdale Arizona a friend gave me a cassette of some music for a just-released television mini-series called "V" about a group of reptilian aliens coming to earth to enslave humanity under a banner of peace. At that moment I was hooked and I knew I had to hear more from this fantastic composer. Later on, I moved from Arizona to Los Angeles where I began working for a prestigious independent record label and the chance finally came to meet the man himself, Joe Harnell.

From the very first time we met, it was like we were already family. I had told him of my work with Crescendo Records, for whom I was doing album graphics at the time and later he gave me the job of doing a couple of cassette packages of his material to sell at a Cole Porter venue he was performing at.

I felt I had almost messed up everything when I misspelled Aaron Copland's name in the notes. Joe was very particular that way - he was forever a perfectionist. But everything came together and the show was a success. Later on I got to do promotional CD packages for his music from THE INCREDIBLE HULK and "V" THE ORIGINAL MINISERIES which, in its own little way was kind of a full-circle thing for me. Finally I was given the job of setting up joeharnell.com which I hope has been a wonderful source for many fans of Joe to acquire copies of his fantastic jazz and film music and to learn about the life of this fantastic music man.

So, my thanks goes out to you, Joe for the many years of friendship, for all the good times and the music. Many is the time I remember Joe performing at jazz clubs and other venues and keeping his audience enthralled. I'll always think back to when he played the theme from "V" for me at a popular little Sherman Oaks club some years ago. I'll especially remember Joe and Alice being there for the most important day of my life, my wedding. Great memories and great friends!

Mark Banning
webmaster, joeharnell.com