In addition to her appearance as Robin’s love interest, singer Leslie Gore also had a chance to perform her song “California Nights” on Batman in 1967. This was despite Catwoman’s disapproval. However, it is worth noting that Gore’s uncle was a producer for the series, which may have helped her land the role.
Gore was best known for hits such as “It’s My Party” and “You Don’t Own Me.” She was a rising star at the time and the appearance on Batman likely gave her career a boost. Despite the controversial circumstances of her appearance, Gore’s performance remains a memorable moment in the show’s history.
Robert Kennedy
The Batman show’s influence was so great that even prominent political figures were rumored to be interested in appearing on the show. According to one Hollywood rumor, the producers of Batman hoped to get Robert F. Kennedy, who served as US Attorney General from 1961 to 1964, to play a character named Attorney General.
This would have been a subtle nod to Kennedy's past position, but it's unclear whether he was ever seriously considered for the role. Regardless, it is clear that the show had a massive impact on pop culture, inspiring even those in the highest echelons of power.
Live-Action Crossovers
Nowadays, we expect crossovers between Marvel and DC. The very first crossover story featured Superman vs. Spiderman, published in 1970. Perhaps Dozier’s Batman pioneered the crossover concept when, in 1967, Bruce Lee from "The Green Hornet" showed up in Gotham City in a fight scene. It was pretty legendary stuff.
The scene where Robin fights Bruce Lee’s Kato, sidekick to the Green Hornet hero, shows off Lee’s karate moves. The face-off with Boy Wonder helped popularize martial arts on television and in movies. The short-lived "The Green Hornet" television series was directed by Dozier as well. But "Batman" was on another level.
The Batman Theme Song
Music can make or break a TV show. So many people will remember a TV show or film based on how memorable the theme song is. The Batman opening credits sequence, composed by Neal Hefti, was an instant classic and an integral factor of the cultural phenomena of Batmania. It's tune is instantly recognizable, and for a good reason.
To give an idea of how hot this show actually was, the theme song, unoriginally titled “Batman Theme,” was the most covered song in the world in 1966. Not only that but also, every kid in the country would be running around singing, “Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, Batman!”
8 Bands Covered ‘Batman Theme’
The impact that the Batman theme song has had on pop culture is unquestionable, to say the very least. So much so that even musicians have covered it. In all, the opening song was recorded by eight bands. With tannins of secret spy movie riffs and horns blasting to cartoon bubbles of “Pow” and “Zonk,” this song is punctuated by just one word, “Batman!”
Nevertheless, it was recorded by significant acts like The Who and The Kinks, who included the jazzy, surf rock-inspired tune on their albums. David McCallum, Al Hirt, The Standells, The Ventures, and surf rock band Jan and Dean also covered it, to name a few more.