John Barry was a British composer best known for his iconic film scores, particularly for the James Bond series. Born on November 3, 1933, in York, England, he developed a passion for music while working in his father’s cinemas. He studied piano and trumpet and later formed the John Barry Seven, a jazz-rock band that gained popularity in the late 1950s.
Barry’s big break came in 1962 when he was hired to arrange Monty Norman’s James Bond Theme for Dr. No. His subsequent Bond scores, including Goldfinger, Thunderball, and You Only Live Twice, established the signature Bond sound—bold brass, lush strings, and dramatic orchestration.
Beyond Bond, Barry composed for numerous acclaimed films, winning five Academy Awards for Born Free (1966), The Lion in Winter (1968), Out of Africa (1985), and Dances with Wolves (1990). His music, known for its sweeping melodies and emotional depth, shaped the sound of modern cinema.
Barry continued composing into the 2000s before passing away on January 30, 2011. His legacy endures, with his influence evident in film music today.
20 recordings by John Barry you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
007 • Beat For Beatniks • Hit And Miss • Main theme ‘Beat girl’ • Main Title ( I Had A Farm In Africa) • Midnight Cowboy • On Her Majesty’s Secret Service • The Danny Scipio Theme • The Girl With The Sun In Her Hair • The Ipcress File • The James Bond Theme • The John Dunbar Theme • The knack and how to get it • The Knack • Theme From “The Persuaders” • Thunderball • Vendetta • Walk Don’t Run • Wednesday’s Child • You Only Live Twice •
