John Barry, OBE (3 November 1933 - 30 January 2011), born John Barry Prende… Read Full Bio ↴John Barry, OBE (3 November 1933 - 30 January 2011), born John Barry Prendergast in York, UK is considered one of the "Big Four" of late 20th century film composers (the others being John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Henry Mancini).
His family was in the cinema business, but it was during his National Service that he began performing as a musician. After taking a correspondence course and arranging for some of the bands of the day, he formed The John Barry Seven. Barry then met Adam Faith, and composed songs and film scores on the singer's behalf.
It was this notoriety that caught the attention of the producers of Dr. No, who were dissatisfied with the score given to them by Monty Norman. Barry and the JB7 were hired and their recording of Norman's "James Bond Theme" would go on to be one of the most famous signature tunes in film history.
This would be the turning point for Barry, as he would go on to become one of the most celebrated film composers of modern times, winning five Academy Awards and four Grammys, with such memorable scores as The Lion in Winter, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves.
Barry is often cited as having had a distinct style which concentrated on lush strings and extensive use of brass. However, he was also an innovator, being one of the first to employ synthesizers in a film score (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), and to make wide use of pop artists and original songs in Midnight Cowboy.
Living in his native England until the mid 1970s, Barry spent some time in Spain (for tax purposes) before spending much of his life in the United States, mainly in Oyster Bay, outside of New York.
Barry died of a heart attack on 30 January 2011, at his Oyster Bay home, aged 77 years.
His family was in the cinema business, but it was during his National Service that he began performing as a musician. After taking a correspondence course and arranging for some of the bands of the day, he formed The John Barry Seven. Barry then met Adam Faith, and composed songs and film scores on the singer's behalf.
It was this notoriety that caught the attention of the producers of Dr. No, who were dissatisfied with the score given to them by Monty Norman. Barry and the JB7 were hired and their recording of Norman's "James Bond Theme" would go on to be one of the most famous signature tunes in film history.
This would be the turning point for Barry, as he would go on to become one of the most celebrated film composers of modern times, winning five Academy Awards and four Grammys, with such memorable scores as The Lion in Winter, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa, and Dances with Wolves.
Barry is often cited as having had a distinct style which concentrated on lush strings and extensive use of brass. However, he was also an innovator, being one of the first to employ synthesizers in a film score (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), and to make wide use of pop artists and original songs in Midnight Cowboy.
Living in his native England until the mid 1970s, Barry spent some time in Spain (for tax purposes) before spending much of his life in the United States, mainly in Oyster Bay, outside of New York.
Barry died of a heart attack on 30 January 2011, at his Oyster Bay home, aged 77 years.
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@debihaywood5454
I met John barry in 1998 or 99. In Beverly hills. I loved his stories and what a talent. I was a bartender then and he stopped in when in town. So many movies I loved music from I learned he had composed.
@headbangingmama8907
So hauntingly Beautiful ❤️💕. This movie should have hit the Oscar jackpot! Incredibly amazing acting by Robert Downey Jr.!! Geraldine Chaplin was excellent in this film as well. Surprisingly fine acting by Dan Akroyd as Mack Sennett too! John Barry's music.... just no words!!
@eshag1
Robert Downey was great but he was up against al Pacino for scent of a woman. That was tough.
@bigsmoke76
This theme evokes feelings of regret, success, tragedy, loneliness, lost love as well as the passage of time.
A testament to the musical genius of John Barry.
@Keith0384
John Williams is the GOAT but I still think Barry gets overlooked regardless
@voicegirl555
Happy Happy Birthday John Barry! I loved this movie and your music! It evokes the loneliness as well as the happiness of Charlie's life. Thank you!
@Zephaniah3verse17
There is something in this music that gets right into me, touches a wellspring I didn't know I had.
@Nathan-sd8tn
Such incredible emotions portrayed through this piece. John Barry was a master at his craft.
@ElvishRanger93
This theme and John Barry’s theme for “Somewhere In Time” never fail to make me cry.
@sumame47
Same with the love theme he composed for "On Her Magesty's Secret Service". The end when the new Mrs. Bond is shot and James Bond is cradling her and tells the motorcycle cop how they have all the time in the world.😔😔😔💔💔💔