Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song Written by John Sebastian

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song

Artist: John Sebastian

Lyrics by: John Sebastian

Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-1979)

Gabe Kaplan: Gabe Kotter

Marcia Strassman: Julie Kotter

John Sylvester White: Mr. Michael Woodman

John Travolta: Vinnie Barbarino

Robert Hegyes: Juan Epstein

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs: Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington

Ron Palillo: Arnold Horshack

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song (Excerpt)
Welcome back
Your dreams were your ticket out
Welcome back
To that same old place that you laughed about …

Mr. Kotter and the Sweathogs

Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack, Robert Hegyes as Juan Epstein, John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino, Gabriel Kaplan as Gabe Kotter, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington

Welcome Back Kotter Poster

Your Dreams Were Your Ticket Out

Welcome Back, Kotter Starring Gabe Kaplan

When composer John Sebastian had problems rhyming lyrics for a show called Kotter, he decided to tell a story instead. Since the teacher, played by Gabe Kaplan, was returning to his alma mater, the lyrics set the tone for the show, welcoming Mr. Kotter back to James Buchanan High School.

The producers liked the song so much that they decided to change the title of the show to Welcome Back, Kotter. The song subsequently hit number one on the charts.

Welcome Back, Kotter

Starring John Sylvester White as Principal Michael Woodman

Welcome Back Kotter Cast Photograph

Vinnie Barbarino
I got my own idea of what God is like: I know he’s a sharp dresser, and he’s good-looking. And of course he’s Italian.

John Travolta

Starring as Vinnie Barbarino

John Travolta Autographed Photo

Welcome Back, Kotter

The show was a big hit, at least for the first three seasons. By the fourth year, Gabe Kaplan had left over creative differences with the producers. John Travolta, the show’s breakout star, had soared to new heights with Saturday Night Fever, and appeared only occasionally as a special guest star.

Gabe Kaplan
I mean, I would have loved to have kept on being a big television star. If that’s the way things would have broke, I would have loved to have done that. I just didn’t really want to continue and be someone who took whatever was offered.

Up Your Nose With a Rubber Hose

Robert Hegyes, John Sylvester White, Ron Palillo, Marcia Strassman, Gabriel Kaplan, John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs

Welcome Back Kotter Cast Poster

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song

MP3 Music

Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song Welcome Back Kotter Theme Song

John Travolta
I was always a character actor, basically, that sometimes looks like a leading man.

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