158 replies to this topic

[chrisno1]

Sad news indeed. I can only echo many of the sentiments above.
In Bond terms Barry's contribution is massive, scene setting by music is an art and Barry did this wonderfully. At times his work is peerless.
I know he won several Oscars, but my favorite piece of his wasn't even nominated, the theme from Midnight Cowboy. IMO, never has a theme resonated so closely to its central characters.
The world of cinema, nay, of music has lost a true genius.

[sthgilyadgnivileht]

As I soak up the tributes and news articles on the web the enormity of his loss sinks in.

[dchantry]

How very sad to lose someone who has given so much enjoyment for nearly all of my life.
The films I watch rarely, but there is never a while that goes by without listening to the soundtracks (Bond and otherwise).
If you cn listen to 'We Have all the time in the world' today without feeling sad then your a harder person than I.

[Quantumofsolace007]

Sad news indeed may he rest in peace and may his loved ones find solace.

[Navy007Fan]

Listening to OHMSS on my iPod while at my desk, RIP sir.

[booyeah_]

How our ears were spoiled by his magnificent music during Bond adventures and so many other films. He was one of the great composers in the film industry and will be missed dearly.

[Lachesis]

Very sad news, we have lost a rare and remarkable talent, a true legend of music and cinematic art.

Sincere condolences and thoughts go to his family and loved ones.

[Wade]

We concur with all the sentiments shared here. And we'd add one observation: Though connected to the Bond theme, one of the greatest and most instantly recognizable pieces of movie music in history, he also did something even greater and more impressive. With two simple notes, he captured the essence of a legendary movie. And he won an Oscar for it. Try to hear those two opening notes and not think of "Born Free." A stunning piece of music, and a genius in his lifetime. He once almost died, but he came back to us. But then, you only live twice. RIP, Mr. Barry.

[The Shark]

We concur with all the sentiments shared here. And we'd add one observation: Though connected to the Bond theme, one of the greatest and most instantly recognizable pieces of movie music in history, he also did something even greater and more impressive. With two simple notes, he captured the essence of a legendary movie. And he won an Oscar for it.

Not only that - 5 Oscars.

[Bill]

Sad news indeed.

One of the architects of Bond. I will echo what many have said here, but his contribution to the series should never be underestimated. His method of scoring gave each of his films their own unique sound, but can easily be heard to be part of the same whole. He has given me countless hours of listening pleasure.

Bond 23 should be dedicated to him, and David Arnold will hopefully give us a score like no other in tribute (it will be the 50th anniversart, after all.)

Rest in peace, Mr. Barry.

[Zorin Industries]

BOND 23 end credits kick in....

"To our friend John Barry"



Although the closing credit music for BOND 23 should perhaps be stand alone, do not be too surprised if the closing credits are as much of a title sequence to BOND @ 50 with Barry's music montaged by David Arnold and draped over every 2012 silhouette and slither of gun smoke.

[Bryce (003)]

I'm up early here on the west coast (why? I have no clue) but this is not worth waking up to.

I've enjoyed all kinds of Bond music, but the maestro was THE man.

Whenever I've written my fan-fic or ToF bits, I specifically listen to only Barry's scores.

I've blasted his music from both Bond and other films countless times whilst rolling down the road. I've got a couple of special CD's I burned for my drives out to Vegas. It always seems to time out just perfect.

Today, I'm writing some more, but the music is going to ring just a bit more meaningful.

Cueing up "This Never Happened to the Other Fella" - But I'm breaking out the LP's today.

I may have to stop before "We Have All the Time in the World" comes up.

I don't want to cry on my keyboard.



Thank you John.

RIP.

[Rufus Ffolkes]

Sad news today. John Barry died of a heart attack at age 77:

http://www.totalfilm... IMDb aggregate)

[Zorin Industries]

Some people listened to The Doors in their teens. Others The Stones, Nirvana, Lennon or even Kate Bush.

My teenage years were soundtracked by John Barry Prendergast.

[Napoleon Solo]

Perhaps one off the best compliments Barry ever received was from Paul McCartney, according to a 2006 UK television special. On that show, George Martin recalled the creation of the song Live And Let Die. He quoted McCartney on what he wanted the song to be.

"Right, you want it to be like John Barry," Martin quoted himself as saying.

"No! It's got to be bigger than John Barry." Martin quoted McCartney as saying.

Assuming the anecdote is correct, it was a case of one music legend recognizing the impact of another, and the challenge any composer/songwriter has in following Barry on Bond.

[The Shark]

It is a mark of John Barry that I personally don't know which piece to pop on the gramophone first.

Along with Cubby Broccoli, Harry Saltzman, Ken Adam, Peter Hunt and Terence Young he was one of the founding fathers of James Bond on-screen. The work he did for the 007 films alone is a priceless piece of modern art in itself - something that has not aged nor been bettered. Fully understanding the hues and timbre each musical section could bring to a film, John Barry brought a humane dignity to every film he worked on.

It is no under-statement to say his work is timeless, dripping with gravitas and a complete understanding of the punctuation points of the films and TV shows he worked on. Any interview with John Barry suggest a wonderfully humble and centred individual - evidenced in THE BEYONDNESS OF THINGS and ETERNAL ECHOES, albums which soar with an understanding, acceptance and fascination with the human condition.

His music for MIDNIGHT COWBOY, THE CHASE, OUT OF AFRICA, SOMEWHERE IN TIME, DANCES WITH WOLVES, CHAPLIN, THE LION IN WINTER and of course the Bond films ARE those films. Using one example alone, MIDNIGHT COWBOY is in the consciousness of those that saw it at the time because of John Barry. He gave an X rated, Warhol inspired odyssey a humanity and elegance that lifted that film from its presbyterian detractors to Best Picture success and a deserved pedestal that cites the film as a classic of its time. The same can be said of OUT OF AFRICA, a soaring, adventurous film that saw two characters lives through the eyes of Sydney Pollack and John Barry and is ultimately one of the best scores ever aligned to a film.



The same can be said of his work on SOMEWHERE IN TIME, ZULU, ROBIN AND MARIAN, KING KONG, PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED, BODY HEAT and even HOWARD THE DUCK - titles whose (sometimes) only saving grace is what Barry gave them.

And of course the Bond films... start late and leave early seemed to be the effective mantra for his sterling work on the Bonds and was certainly what he did in terms of longevity. Understanding how to sell Bond to a modern audience more than Saltzman and (maybe) even Terence Young, John Barry's work on the 007 films are as important to the 1960's cultural palette as the work of The Beatles, Bob Dylan or the Rolling Stones (three random creatives Barry could echo and mirror at the drop of a hat). He underlined Connery's performance and lifted it to a better plateau by giving his Bond a panther-like conviction, urgency, masculinity and wit.

Then there were the TV themes whose quality and toe-tapping familiarity were far better than they should have been. Yes, THE PERSUADERS is an airtight, topnotch overture but so too are the ORSON WELLES GREAT MYSTERIES, ELIZABETH TAYLOR IN LONDON and JUKEBOX JURY.

Singlehandedly the greatest film composer and cimematic tunesmith Britain ever produced, a musician whose CV is arguably more consistent than contemporaries like John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, the soul of countless films whose audience affection is predicated on his work, a master of the oldest choral hymns and the newest jazz syths, and the dramatic heartbeat of more than just the Bond films. RIP John Barry Prendergast.

The moviola may have lost its voice, but not its song....

Superb tribute.

I also think Barry's collaborations with Bryan Forbes, Nicholas Roeg and Richard Lester are sorely underrated. They provided a Petri dish for Barry to experiment with unusual ensembles, and refine his sound. Also as an antidote to the Bond machine at its height.

I'll make sure to have a full orchestra (and chorus!) play two John Barry cues at my funeral service, possibly from THE LION IN WINTER or THE LAST VALLEY. And then close it with 'Tibbett Get Washed Out' from A VIEW TO A KILL.

No, screw that.

Make it 'Slumber, Inc.' from DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I never expected to wake up to this.

I'd put on Nobody Does It Better... but he didn't write it.

So, as tribute, here's the start of Barry's first full Bond score; it's a proper way to end... at the beginning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r97OiVdsDwc

*raises a glass*

[MattofSteel]

Very sad. He was the greatest, and one of the sole reasons for my own personal Bond fandom.

[O.H.M.S.S.]

Shocking news.

Rest in peace Mr. Barry, you will always live on through the magic of your music...

[Safari Suit]

An end of an era. He was younger than I thought. R.I.P.

[Royal Dalton]

Thank you for the music.

[AMC Hornet]

There will undoubtedly be a tribute at the upcoming Academy awards ceremony for this multiple Oscar winner.

RIP to the man who put the JB in 007.

[Mr.Zukovsky]

Such a brilliant composer, Your legendary music will live on. Rest in Peace John Barry!

[Doctor Whom]

Sad news indeed. He was one of the greatest composers in film history and the Bond series put him on the map. I've always felt that he, along with Ken Adam and Terence Young, really defined Bond in the early going. He created a Bond "sound" that other composers in the series often try to emulate.

[scaramunga]

Sad news to the start of the week. RIP John Barry.

Hopefully the remaining Bond scores that Barry completed that are not expanded on cd will eventually be issued.

[Virgosy]

Type "John Barry" in google news and... : "I was trying to impose on Lazenby the suaveness, the humour, and I really overdid the score" ; that appears, in the french google news anyway. It's a John Barry's quote about one of his Bond's soundtrack (and perhaps the best) : On her majesty's secret service.

Definitely a great musician, and a wonderful person. Thank you John, your music is forever.

[Fixer]

A legendary talent. He will be with us forever through his music. Thanks for everything, Mr. Barry.

[The Shark]

Another duplicate here.

Rufus Ffolkes - It wouldn't hurt to click in 'today's posts.'

[gkgyver]

It may sound cruel, but I usually take little interest in death announcements of all kinds of people because very few actually contributed to the colour and happiness in the world, but John Barry's death gets to me very deeply.

When I think of his name showing up at this year's Academy tribute, I get cold shivers.

And yes, I think Bond music truly died today.

[0024]

So sad to see him go. I just mentioned his passing to my boss, and he said, "Wow. That music is still going," - commenting on that it's still the same theme and style. I didn't get into the Monty Norman issue with him, and didn't have to. His music will be remembered longer than all of us. I will miss him greatly.