You've heard it ... well, if you've been on the internet long enough to discover the MP3 music format, you've heard it - a snazzy, jazzed up version of the Star Wars theme song that sounds like it ought to be playing in the background during an episode of Three's Company.  When you stop and think about it, a disco version of the Star Wars theme song isn't really all that crazy after all ... I mean, it was the 70's, right?  We were lucky enough to get the chance to speak with Meco Monardo, the creative force (no pun intended ... ) behind this inventive idea, and we asked him about disco in the Star Wars universe ... and other spots around the stars as well ...  

EchoStation: First off ... why Star Wars music ... and what made you decide to do a disco version of the theme song?

Meco: The story has been told many times how I went to see the very first showing of Star Wars at 11:00 am on May 26th, 1977 in New York City. Just 300 kids and me. I have been a film and science-fiction fan all my life, but nothing prepared me for what I saw and the profound and immediate effect it had on me. I went back to see it three more times the next day, knowing that this would be the largest grossing movie of all time. By the third screening is when I suddenly heard the music which was very catchy and further, that John Williams had written musical themes which were very memorable. I did something I never did before which was to buy the soundtrack album, fully expecting to hear, along with the music, the sounds of space ships and laser swords and R2, etc, etc. I was disappointed that I could not relive the visual film experience as an audio experience.

Then it hit me - my concept - like a bolt of lightning - "You've seen the movie, now go dance to it!!!" I was a successful record producer at the time (Gloria Gaynor, Carol Douglas) so it was easy to call a record company, pitch my concept, get the money and record "Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk" in three weeks.

My single went to number one in the world and was certified platinum (2 million units) and my album outsold the original soundtrack (1.5 million to 1.1 million units).

ES: Your discography lists a number of other titles based on other genre and not just Star Wars or even Science Fiction related. Titles like Shogun, The Wizard of Oz, Star Trek, The Black Hole and more appear ... what triggers the thought that starts a song in your mind?

Meco: As you may know, it is nearly impossible to have a hit instrumental record. There had been the occasional one-hit wonder, but only Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass in the 60's ever had repeated hits. I knew that if I wanted another hit, two criteria would have to be met. 1) I would have to anticipate the success of a film. 2) The film should have a classical score with melodies which could be transformed into a "pop" setting. So, for the next six years, I went to private screenings of at least 25 films prior to their release, in an effort to find a film to fit my criteria. I was lucky that the very next film after Star Wars was Close Encounters, and I should have had another number one record as the film was huge and my record was very good. Unfortunately, Arista Records, which had the soundtrack to Encounters, convinced John Wiliams that he should record a "Meco" version. As a result, both our versions became top-20 best-sellers and I was denied the chance to have back-to-back number ones.

ES: As a follow up, which are your favorite pieces, both Star Wars related and non-Star Wars related?

Meco: "The Wizard of Oz" is mine as well as most of my fans, favorite record. It is the only score I devoted the whole record to.

ES: Since it's one of the main topics of discussion around the internet these days, what's your take on software like Napster? How do you feel about people trading music online? More importantly ... how, as an artist, do you see it - is it "sharing among fans," or is it "piracy that steals from the artist"?

Meco: The problem with MP3 and Napster has been with us for 40 years. In the old days of vinyl, many people thought the audio cassette was going to be the death of records. That didn't happen. In fact, commercial audio cassettes sold as briskly as blank ones. There will always be people who will copy illegally. The vast majority of people will buy as usual.

ES: "The Best of Meco" CD which was re-released in 1997 was missing works from 3 of your previous albums ... why was this?

Meco: The three albums you refer to were on Arista Records, and the rest were recorded for Polygram Records. The two companies could not agree to agree.

ES: What/Who has been the biggest influence on your musical stylings thus far in life?

Meco: There have been two major influences on my music. The first is Barry White and his Love Unlimited Orchestra. The other is Philly International, the home of Gamble and Huff and in particular, the arranger and producer, Thom Bell.

ES: You can have dinner with anyone you want to, regardless of time, space, or any other limiting factors ... who would it be, and why?

Meco: John Williams - I would pick his brain in an effort to learn how he could possibly write so many great scores over such a long period of time - and never be wrong!

ES: Just have to ask ... what were/are your thoughts on Episode I?

Meco: I thought it was excellent and accurately predicted its success. I predicted it would gross $425 million in the US, and it has grossed about $438 million to date. Amazingly, there are people today who think it only grossed $100 million or less! I rented it the other day and have changed my mind about it. I no longer think it's excellent - I think it's FANTASTIC!

ES: Can we look forward to more work in conjunction with Episodes II and III?

Meco: Yes.

ES: Have you had contact with Lucasfilm regarding your work? If so, has it been predominantly positive?

Meco: There was no contact with Star Wars in 1977, but starting with The Empire Strikes Back in 1980, I have had a very long and positive relationship with them.

ES: If a prospective reader of this interview were to give you the chance to amaze them with only one of your songs ... which one would it be, and why?

Meco: No one has ever asked me to choose a favorite before! If I have to, it would be "Darth Vader's Theme" from The Empire Strikes Back. It has all my trademark sounds, but it has a more hard "rock" edge to it. In a poll conducted by the editors of "Star Wars Insider" magazine, that song was voted the all-time number one recording of Star Wars music.

ES: Your website carefully stays away from using Lucasfilm owned imagery ... how do you come up with the ideas for your website and your jacket covers, and who does them for you?

Meco: I designed the "flash" version of my website using the graphics from my new CD which were designed by Tommy Stanton, a college student and Meco fan.

ES: Do you ever get requests for older albums? Are they still available anywhere commercially, or is a fan's best bet to hunt through used record stores and convention exhibit halls?

Meco: To get older vinyls, the best bet is a used record store.

ES: Thanks so much for your time, Meco.  As a note to readers, Meco's latest work as featured on his website is available for only $13.99, and that's not a bad investment at all.  Meco has also asked that we provide some other samples from his work so that you can enjoy his songs as much as we do.  Feel free to click on the links below (they're all in the commonly acceptable MP3 format), and if you're still hungry for more after that, head on over to Meco's website!

• Star Wars Suite
• Vader's Theme/Yoda's Theme
• Battle in the Snow
• The Force Theme
• Finale
• Lapti Nek
• Ewok Celebration
• Duel of the Fates
• Cousin Jar Jar
• A Jedi Knight (Yamira)