<P> The series was loosely based on Richard O'Connor's 1957 biography of Masterson . This was highlighted by the book's front cover being shown at the end of the closing credits with an onscreen notation "based on". </P> <P> From 1955 to 1959, Mason Alan Dinehart played a 20 - something Bat Masterson in thirty - four episodes of the ABC / Desilu western series, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian as the frontier peace officer Wyatt Earp . Dinehart left the series, and Barry was hence cast as a 40 - something Masterson in a separate series on a different network . In the year 1958 - 1959 both actors were featured in the role of Masterson . </P> <P> The theme song was sung by Bill Lee, a member of the Mellomen . </P> <P> Barry went on to star in Burke's Law, a detective series set in modern - day Los Angeles, as well as The Name of the Game . </P>

Who sang the theme song to bat masterson