The Rockford Files is an American TV series starring James Garner that aired between September 1974 and January 1980. Garner portrayed Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford. The series theme music by composers Mike Post and Pete Carpenter was released as a single and went to No. 10 in the Billboard Hot 100, remaining in the charts for 16 weeks. and won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement in 1975
In a significant departure from typical television detectives of the time, series producers Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell devised the back-story for the Rockford character that he had served time in San Quentin Prison due to a wrongful conviction. After five years, he was pardoned. His infrequent jobs as a private investigator barely allow him to maintain his dilapidated mobile home, which doubles as his office in a parking lot on Malibu Beach, California. Also in contrast to most television private eyes, Rockford wears cheap clothing and does his best to avoid fights. He rarely carries his Colt Detective Special revolver preferring to talk his way out of trouble. His usual fee is $200 per day plus expenses. Accompanying the opening title sequence, each episode began with the image of an answering machine with someone leaving Rockford a message on the Ansafone. It rings twice and then Rockford's recorded voice is heard providing the following greeting: “This is Jim Rockford. At the tone, leave your name and message. I'll get back to you.”
