carpenter's collaboration with the much younger composer mike post began in 1968 and lasted until carpenter's death nearly two decades later. the two saw some success when they wrote the theme for producer stephen j. cannell's first show, the police detective drama "toma" in 1973. but their big breakthrough was the top 10 "billboard" hit and grammy award-winning theme for cannell's private detective drama "the rockford files" in 1974, starring james garner.