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.
Out of Africa: Theme
John Barry Lyrics
Instrumental
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@chesterbaker5431
I am 83. I have a life threatening disease.. I am concerned about the future of life on this earth. I worry about it all. But this music calms me. It makes me remember all those I have loved and who have loved me. The film also I have replayed many times. Thank you for your genius. I can go now knowing all was not in vain. With things like this there will alway be hope. God bless you all.
@christophermacintyre5890
Thanks for leaving a comment.
@carolynjones6524
Chester fight on until your last breath ,Earth is great and so are you
@glennrgiri
God Bless You Sir
@franklewisjr6071
Beautiful brother. Thank you 🙏
@dianejohnson3566
What a beautiful comment Chester.
I hope you are going well through your illness.
I lost my father last month and came here for this music for comfort.
It is a beautiful piece.
I share your concerns about our world.
@tango6nf477
This was Dads favourite piece of music so we chose to play it at his funeral. I'm not the most emotional of people and I managed not to cry at the crematorium little understanding that it would have probably done me good to do so. A few weeks later I was driving and tuned into Classic FM and this was playing. Suddenly all the emotion bubbled over and I started to weep, feeling the loss, the beauty of this music just pressed the button and I had no choice. After I while I felt much better and realised that the grief and emotion I had bottled up needed to get out, and I am now able to think of Dad, still missing him of course but without the pain. Such is the power of music.
@christophermacintyre5890
It was the same with my mother.
@moony77
What a beautiful sentiment 💜
@lesliecollins4835
It's amazing what music can do to people make them cry, smile, cheer, and remind you of people or times in your life ❤️