May 25: The Exorcist and Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'

Back in 1973, on this very day an instrumental album from a shy teenager was released by Virgin Records. This was the first release from the new record label, which was founded by Richard Branson, and was release number V2001.

It began a career that is approaching its 50th anniversary next year - today is it's 49th Anniversary and there has already been a special event at the Royal Festival Hall, and an instrumental performance at the Royal Albert Hall is planned for later in the year - I shall be there in the front row of the circle...

The album has sold over 18 million copies.

It has also been used in a number of films, and the opening theme is particularly associated with one film in particular: William Friedkin's 'The Exorcist'.

Its connection with the film also led to additional sales and commercial success for Oldfield in the USA.

The story of the connection is here. There are various versions of how it came to be used.

Apparently a score was written by Lalo Schifrin (famous composer of the Mission Impossible theme) but the score was TOO scary. Schifrin’s music was used for the initial trailer, and the combination of sights and sounds sent audience members into a panic. 

Some people vomited, others fainted, others ran out of the theater. 

It was enough to spur director William Friedkin to look for some other music.

You can hear the theme here: