Monty Norman
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| Monty Norman | |
|---|---|
| Name | Monty Norman |
| Birth name | Monty Noserovitch |
| Birth date | 4 April 1928 |
| Birth place | London, England |
| Death date | 11 July 2022 |
| Death place | Slough, England |
| Occupation | Composer, singer |
| Years active | 1950s–2022 |
| Spouse | Diana Coupland (m. 1960; died 2006), Rya Kihlstedt (m. 2006) |
Monty Norman was a British composer and singer best known for creating the iconic James Bond theme music. His career spanned several decades, beginning in the vibrant post-war British entertainment scene, where he performed as a vocalist and wrote for musical theatre. While his output included numerous stage musicals and film scores, his legacy is inextricably linked to the spy film franchise, a connection that later became the subject of a notable legal dispute.
Early life and career
Born Monty Noserovitch in London to a family of Jewish immigrants, he began his professional life as a singer in the big band era, performing with groups like the Cyril Stapleton Orchestra. He transitioned to writing for the stage in the late 1950s, contributing to revues such as Expresso Bongo. His first major success came with the musical Make Me an Offer, which played at the Theatre Workshop in Stratford. This led to further work in West End theatre, including the score for Belle, or The Ballad of Dr. Crippen and collaborating with notable figures like Wolf Mankowitz and David Heneker.
James Bond theme and controversy
His most famous contribution originated when he was hired to score the first James Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962. He composed a piece titled "Good Sign, Bad Sign" for an unproduced stage musical, which he later adapted to create the signature James Bond theme. The arrangement for the film's title sequence was orchestrated by John Barry, then the leader of the John Barry Seven. For decades, Barry was widely credited as the theme's composer, a perception Norman consistently challenged. In 2001, he successfully sued the Sunday Times for libel, with the High Court of Justice upholding his authorship after expert testimony analyzed the musical composition's origins.
Other musical works
Beyond the Bond franchise, Norman composed for several other films, including the comedy The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll and the Peter Sellers vehicle The Mouse on the Moon. He continued his work in theatre, writing scores for productions like Songbook at the Donmar Warehouse and The Dresser. He also contributed music to television series, such as the ITV drama The Saint and the BBC series Happy Ever After. His later stage work included the musical Poison Ivy, which premiered in Birmingham.
Personal life and death
He was married to actress and singer Diana Coupland, known for her role in the sitcom Bless This House, from 1960 until her death in 2006. They had two children together. In 2006, he married Rya Kihlstedt. He lived for many years in Berkshire and was a supporter of Arsenal F.C.. Norman died at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough in July 2022, at the age of 94.
Legacy and awards
His primary legacy rests on the enduring and globally recognized James Bond theme, one of the most famous pieces of cinema music ever written. The legal victory over the Sunday Times firmly established his authorship in the public record. In recognition of his career, he received a BASCA fellowship in 2005. His work continues to be celebrated in documentaries about film music and the James Bond phenomenon, cementing his place in the history of British film and popular culture.
Category:British composers Category:James Bond music Category:English songwriters