Who Performed the Famous Gilligan’s Island Theme Song?

Who Performed the Iconic Gilligan’s Island Theme Song?

“The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island” is widely celebrated as perhaps the greatest TV theme song ever. It not only outlines the show’s premise but also introduces each of its seven main characters by name. This catchy tune, especially memorable for its sea shanty style, is known to stick in listeners’ heads like an insidious earworm—akin to “Yellow Submarine.” Once “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island” plays, it’s challenging to shake off, leaving your mind as lost as the Minnow itself.

In the original pilot episode of “Gilligan’s Island,” a calypso-themed song written by John Williams was used before the final cast was secured. However, show creator Sherwood Schwartz felt it didn’t quite encapsulate the essence he wanted, so he collaborated with songwriter George Wyle to create a more fitting theme. Wyle, who also composed the holiday classic “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” in 1963, was skilled at crafting effective earworms.

The now-iconic theme was recorded by a band known as the Wellingtons. Having recently relocated from Urbana, Illinois, to Los Angeles, the group initially called themselves the Lincolns but changed to the Wellingtons, likely influenced by the British Invasion at the time. Their career took off in 1961 when they performed the theme for Disney’s “The Wonderful World of Color.” This experience made them an ideal choice to deliver Schwartz’s and Wyle’s memorable sea shanty.

In the first season of “Gilligan’s Island,” the Wellingtons performed “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island,” which solidified their spot in TV history. They enjoyed a successful run in the 1960s, also performing themes for shows like “Annette on Campus” and “Savage Sam,” and they even toured alongside celebrities such as comedian Donald O’Connor.

The Wellingtons made a memorable appearance in the second season of “Gilligan’s Island,” in the episode titled “Don’t Bug the Mosquitos” on December 9, 1965, performing as a fictional teen rock band called the Mosquitos while also composing original songs for the episode. Schwartz once recounted a humorous incident where they rushed the band to a friend’s home studio on a Sunday, needing to record the theme amidst sounds of party preparations.

As the second season rolled around, changes were needed for the theme song to include “The Professor and Mary Ann” in the lyrics, a modification spurred by Tina Louise’s contract stipulations that required her credit to appear last. Bob Denver, who played Gilligan, voiced his dissatisfaction about this arrangement, stressing that as the show’s star, he should have the flexibility to choose the order of his credit, prompting a negotiation with the network.

Eventually, Schwartz opted not to bring back the Wellingtons for the updated theme, instead commissioning a more polished version featuring a band called the Eligibles. For seasons two and three, “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island” was performed by this new group.

The Eligibles, who also found some exposure on the 1964 music program “Shindig!” did not achieve as much fame as the Wellingtons. Originating from Renton, Washington, they began as a pop vocal quartet and had a catalog that included singles like “My First Christmas With You,” “Along the Trail,” and “Love is a Gamble.” They shared stages with talents like Eartha Kitt and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

The group consisted of members Stan Farber, Ron Hicklin, Ron Rolla, and Bob Zwirn. While little is known about their post-“Gilligan’s Island” endeavors, one member earlier detailed his career shift into opera and film production after leaving the band. Despite the transitions and challenges, the Eligibles undeniably added their mark to one of television’s most beloved theme songs, with some suggesting their rendition is the definitive “complete” version.