Bond composer John Barry dies aged 77
Stories
31 Jan 2011
Composer John Barry, famous for his work on Born Free, Out of Africa and the James Bond films, has died in New York of a heart attack aged 77. Barry received a lifetime achievement award at the Ghent Film Festival in October 2010. A concert with Barry's most famous music was held for an audience of more than 2500 people. Due to his medical condition, John Barry could not be present in Ghent to accept his award. He asked colleague David Arnold to accept the Award in his place. John Barry deeply regretted his absence from the concert and expressed his disappointment in a warm-hearted video addressed to the Ghent Film Festival and especially to Jacques Dubrulle and Marian Ponnet.
In 1962 when Barry was hired to work on the score of the first James Bond film, Dr No he unknowingly secured a place for himself in history; the resulting Bond theme has become one of the most iconic pieces of film music and has been heard on 11 Bond soundtracks. The accomplished English born composer has penned scores for over 100 films and was honored with the Academy Award for Born Free, The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves as well as nominations for Mary Queen of Scots and Chaplin.