Oscar-winning British composer John Barry has died at the age of 77. The BBC reports that Barry died of a heart attack while in New York. Barry is one of the composers whose music you’ve undoubtedly heard even if you weren’t aware of his name. His most famous works include the scores for the James Bond franchise, Midnight Cowboy, and The Black Hole. He won five Oscars over the course of his career for his scores to Born Free, The Lion in Winter, Out of Africa, Dances with Wolves, and for Best Song for “Born Free”.
Hit the jump to listen to some of Barry’s work. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.
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One of the greatest film score composers the industry has ever had.
His score for A View to a Kill (1985) is particularly underrated with its underappreciated classic tracks “Bond Meets Stacey” and “Wine with Stacey”.
RIP, and might I recommend On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Diamonds Are Forever as my two favs (be they on LP or CD). And a big ditto on View To A Kill.
Very sad to hear this. His music set his James Bond movies apart from the rest… No comparison. Best score writer ever, in my opinion.