John Barry, one of Hollywood's most noted composers, passed away in NYC on Sunday (January 30) after suffering a heart attack. He was 77.
Barry wrote the music for numerous movies, but he's best remembered for his contributions to a dozen James Bond films. His music was a fixture of early Bond movies, as he began working with the British spy franchise during its first instalment, 1962's Dr. No. From there, he worked on such classics as Goldfinger, From Russia with Love and Diamonds Are Forever. His final Bond film was 1987's The Living Daylights.
However, Barry's legacy is by no means limited to the Bond franchise. He picked up two Academy Awards -- Original Music Score and Best Song -- for the 1966 flick Born Free. He later won Oscars for three more movies: The Lion in Winter (1968), Out of Africa (1985) and Dances with Wolves (1990). He also earned nominations for scoring Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) and Chaplin (1992). He also won a Grammy for 1969's Midnight Cowboy.
In the '50s, Barry led a jazz group called the John Barry Seven and achieved widespread success when the band teamed up with singer Adam Faith on the BBC show Drumbeat.
Barry was married four times. He is survived by his wife Laurie, his four children and five grandchildren.
Barry wrote the music for numerous movies, but he's best remembered for his contributions to a dozen James Bond films. His music was a fixture of early Bond movies, as he began working with the British spy franchise during its first instalment, 1962's Dr. No. From there, he worked on such classics as Goldfinger, From Russia with Love and Diamonds Are Forever. His final Bond film was 1987's The Living Daylights.
However, Barry's legacy is by no means limited to the Bond franchise. He picked up two Academy Awards -- Original Music Score and Best Song -- for the 1966 flick Born Free. He later won Oscars for three more movies: The Lion in Winter (1968), Out of Africa (1985) and Dances with Wolves (1990). He also earned nominations for scoring Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) and Chaplin (1992). He also won a Grammy for 1969's Midnight Cowboy.
In the '50s, Barry led a jazz group called the John Barry Seven and achieved widespread success when the band teamed up with singer Adam Faith on the BBC show Drumbeat.
Barry was married four times. He is survived by his wife Laurie, his four children and five grandchildren.
