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.
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Terry Hurlbut
Go back to the sequence when Bond and Holly had to jump from a cable car
after Jaws wrecked it but before Jaws crashed into the base lift station
and almost killed himself.
As soon as Bond and Holly landed. Drax's men set upon them and took them
away in a stolen ambulance. Bond escaped, but Holly did not. Immediately
after that, we see Bond, outfitted in what looks like Western garb,
riding on horseback into the MI-6 station outside Rio de Janeiro. And
during that riding sequence, they play /The Magnificent Seven/--which
most viewers probably remembered as the Marlboro Cigarette Jingle.
Andrew Booth
This man was the master of sound tracks. He has never been replaced.
John Doyle
J.B. means John Barry as much as it means James Bond. This guy was on another level of class. R.I.P. Maestro.
Ed Case
For sure..a master at work.i fun love it.
Derek VerLee
While I was searching for the this particular piece of composition I was wondering how much of what makes the 007 franchise great is actually the music and soundtrack. I think the answer is, at least, more then a little.
Russell Emanuel
John Barry is such an inspiration - whether this score or Moonraker or Out of Africa or A View to A Kill or The Living Daylights or Enigma! I can go on and on - this guy is INCREDIBLE!
Keke Dawson
is that a pun there since this was an inspiration for the Incredibles?
indria drayton
Such a luscious, ominous piece of music.
Pauline Currie
Fantastic choice of words for this piece!
Beta Ray Bill
John Barry at his absolute best. One of the best Bond themes I've heard.
raiderdanCA
On that night in the theater, one of the most frightening scenes I'd witnessed, at age 17... Thank you, Mr. Barry, for the thrill. RIP...