Today we bid adieu to composer John Barry, who gave us the magical musical scores to classic films such as; Midnight Cowboy, Walkabout, The Knack . . . and how to get it, Out of Africa, and The Cotton Club, not to mention The James Bond Theme, and Goldfinger, but at the moment, my favorite piece from his epic oeuvre is this . . .
It should also be noted that in the 1960s, Barry was a flatmate of Michael Caine's, as well as husband to Jane Birkin from 1965-1968 (who is perhaps the coolest and most stylish human to exist, ever). One thing's for sure . . . the big band up in Heaven just got a whole lot tighter.
Photos: Barry with wife Jane Birkin in his E Type Jaguar, and Barry with Jane in the late '60s (possibly shot by David Bailey)
I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of the greatest film composers--if not the best composer of all--of the 20th and 21st Centuries.. All of us whom have enjoyed your great oeuvre of work, Mr Barry, will deeply miss you and your ability to capture that emotional essence, whether it be a dramatic epic or an action adventure spy thriller. I know I will certainly miss the panache you brought to the film music world. I know you had been suffering poor health over the past several years, rest in piece and keep those angels dancing in heaven with your String Sound.
Mike Olson
Posted by: Mike Olson | February 05, 2011 at 04:51 PM