Wednesday 8 February 2012

HAPPY EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY, JOHN WILLIAMS!

Master of the film score: John Williams. Image: ULIKE.
Many happy returns to the brilliant John Williams on his landmark eightieth birthday. I don't have to remind you all of what a musical genius he is: his beautiful and incredible body of work speaks for itself, most notably for me with the STAR WARS, INDIANA JONES and SUPERMAN themes, as well as stunning work beyond them like SCHINDLER'S LIST, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and the charming E.T.

Williams confers with Lucas on a scene from STAR WARS in late 1976 or early 1977.
John Williams and the droids at the London Royal Albert Hall STAR WARS concert in February 1978. Image: LSO.
The first UK STAR WARS music concert with John Williams in February 1978. Image: STARWARS.COM

It was because of Williams STAR WARS work that I became a lover of film music in general, and I remember as an eight year old having my parents constantly play and re-play the FOX double LP set of the original STAR WARS whilst running around the front room table pretending to be chased by Stormtroopers! It was part of a worlds collective imagination, too, as that LP still remains one of the biggest selling film music scores of all time.

Have a great day with friends and family, John. We look forward to lots more great scores to come, too...


Check out EMPIRE's great Birthday celebration feature on Williams here: 80 Reasons Why John Williams Is The Man | Features | Empire

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