Sanford and Son Was Even More Interesting Behind The Scenes

Quincy Jones Said the Show Would Flop, But Took a Check from It Anyway

Quincy Jones was a popular composer at the time Sanford & Son was getting ready to air. He was crossing over into mainstream audiences due to his work with Frank Sinatra a couple years before the creation of the show.

The producers of Sanford & Son sought to bridge cultural gaps and thought Jones would be perfect to write the theme song. He agreed, but only after he made sure producers knew what they were getting into with Redd Foxx. Said Jones: “not one word out of that comedian’s mouth is appropriate for NBC.” The song was called “Streetbeater.” “I just wrote what he looked like. It sounds just like him, doesn’t it?” Jones remarked.