The Music of John Barry

John Barry (1933 - 2011), born in the city of York, Northern England, was a British composer and conductor who provided the musical scores for more than 100 motion pictures and television programs, notably 11 movies featuring Ian Fleming’s iconic spy James Bond: Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man with the Golden Gun, Moonraker, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, and The Living Daylights. He initially played the piano and trumpet at dances and as an army bandsman during his military service. He formed in 1957 a rock-and-roll band, the John Barry Seven, and worked with pop singers, including Adam Faith. After agreeing to compose the scores for two films in which Faith had been cast, Barry was approached to do the musical arrangements for Dr. No. As he continued his career as a composer, he captured five Academy Awards for Born Free (and Oscars for both best score and best song); The Lion in Winter,