John Barry
b. Jonathan Barry Prendergast, 3 November 1933, York, Yorkshire, England. Renowned as one of the leading composers of film soundtrack music, Barry began his career leading the John Barry Seven. This rousing instrumental unit scored several notable UK hits between 1960-62, the best-known of which were Hit And Miss and a version of the Ventures’ Walk Don't Run’ (both 1960). The former, which reached number 11 in the UK charts, was the theme to JUKE BOX JURY, BBC television's long-running record release show. Barry made regular appearances on several early pop programmes, including OH BOY and DRUMBEAT and also enjoyed concurrent fame as a writer and arranger, scoring the distinctive pizzicato strings on numerous Adam Faith hits including the number 1 What Do You Want (1959). He also composed the soundtrack to BEAT GIRL, the singer's film debut, and later took up a senior A&R post with the independent Ember label. In 1962 Barry Has a UK Top 20 hit with the James Bond Theme which was part of Monty Norman's score for the film DR. NO, the first in a highly successful series. He produced music for several subsequent Bond films, including FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER and YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, the title songs from which provided hit singles for Matt Monro (1963), Shirley Bassey (1964) and Nancy Sinatra (1967). Such success led to a series of stylish soundtracks which encompassed contrasting moods and music, including THE IPCRESS FILE, THE KNACK (both 1965); BORN FREE (which won an Oscar in 1966); MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969) and MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (1971). Although his theme songs have enjoyed a high commercial profile, it is Barry's imaginative incidental music which has assured his peerless reputation. By contrast he pursued another lucrative direction composing television commercials for disparate household items. 
His consistency remained intact throughout the '70s and '80s, although several attendant films, including KING KONG (1976) and HOWARD THE DUCK (1986), were highly criticized. Down Deep Inside, the theme from THE DEEP (1977), was a UK Top 5 hit for Donna Summer and this disco-influenced composition emphasized the writer's versatility. OUT OF AFRICA (1985), THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and HEARTS OF FIRE (both 1987) demonstrated his accustomed flair while DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) earned him an Oscar. In the early '90s, his scores included RUBY CAIRO, INDECENT PROPOSAL, and Richard Attenborough's CHAPLIN, for which Barry received an Oscar nomination, and MY LIFE (1993). His orchestrations combine elements of classical, jazz and popular themes and command the respect of enthusiastic aficionados.