Song:Believe It Or Not
Album:America's Greatest Hero
Joey Scarbury's claim to fame was this 1981 top five hit Believe It Or Not from the TV series The Greatest American Hero. He's not quite a one hit wonder because a couple of other songs charted. But he's perceived as a one hit wonder. He was born June 7, 1955 in Ontario, CA. His mother encouraged him to sing and as a teen, he was discovered by songwriter Jimmy Webb's father. Webb got him a record deal with Dunhill Records. Scarbury released three singles that went nowhere. His producer was former Liberty Records house producer Dallas Smith. By then Webb started his own label Lionel Records with MGM. Lionel released the Five Man Electrical Band hit Signs in the US. The 1971 single Mixed Up Guy charted. But then Webb closed Lionel. Scarbury recorded singles for Bell, Playboy and Columbia. And he also sang backup for Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn among others. Those singles were produced by Mike Post who is mainly known for TV themes like The Rockford Files. Post was working on the music for The Greatest American Hero created by Stephen J. Cannell. The star of the show was William Katt, son of Perry Mason's Della Street Barbara Hale. ABC wanted an opening theme song. Post wrote Believe It Or Not with frequent songwriting partner Stephen Geyer. And I guess Post thought this would be Scarbury's big chance. When the show became a hit, so did the theme. It reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The guitar solo on the record is by Larry Carlton who also played the guitar solo on Post's hit theme for Hill Street Blues. Scarbury released an album on Elektra which is available as a budget CD. And that was about it. Scarbury recorded unsuccessful singles for RCA and Big Tree. He also had success as a songwriter, especially the 1989 #1 country hit No Matter How High for The Oak Ridge Boys. But mostly Scarbury is remembered for Believe It Or Not. Here's the video for Believe It Or Not by Joey Scarbury.
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