John Barry’ death was reported by Jon Burlingame in Variety on Monday, Jan. 31 as dying of a heart attack on Sunday, Jan. 30 at his home in Oyster Bay. He is credited with living in Centre Island, Oyster Bay, for 20 years. The Los Angeles Times reported that “Barry died Sunday in New York, where he reportedly had lived for some time, his family said in a statement. The cause of death was not released.”
Whichever report is the correct one, what is sure is that Mr. Barry’s music over his 40 years of composing is part of our pop-culture.
John Barry was born John Barry Prendergast in York, England, in 1933 to a father with a chain of movie theaters, where he was grounded in film music.
The English composer’s music will sound in your head as you see the titles. He is known for writing a string of James Bond themes and soundtracks. He is credited with creating the musical definition of the snappy British spy 007 that has been interpreted by a string of actors including Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, George Lazenby, David Niven, Barry Nelson and most recently, Daniel Craig. Whomever they are, the Bond persona, pulsed by the distinctive music, is an established recognizable character. The music includes Goldfinger, Thunderball, From Russia with Love, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights. Then add some of his other works: Born Free, Midnight Cowboy, Out of Africa, and Peggy Sue Got Married and you know why you too, do know his work.
Mr. Barry was divorced three times. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Laurie, four children and five grandchildren. Funeral services will be private, and a memorial service is expected to be held later this year in the U.K.
