The man behind one of cinema's most iconic theme tunes has died, his family has confirmed. Monty Norman, who composed the James Bond theme, has passed away at the age of 94.
A statement on his official website said he had died after "a short illness". The message said: "It is with sadness we share the news that Monty Norman died on July 11, 2022 after a short illness."
The award-winning musician was born Monty Noserovitch in Stepney, east London, to Jewish parents and was evacuated from London during the early days of the Blitz. At the age of 16, his mother bought him a guitar, where he first realised his passion for music.
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Prior to working in the movie industry, he composed music for various West End shows, such as Expresso Bongo and Irma La Douce, and sung in big bands - including those led by Cyril Stapleton, Ted Heath and Nat Temple.
His career began to take off in the world of film when he started writing for musicals and films such as Songbook, Poppy and Make Me An Offer. But it was his work in the first James Bond film - 1962’s Dr No, starring Sir Sean Connery, which included the famous theme which has featured throughout the 24 subsequent films - that really catapulted him into stardom.
However, the producers were not happy with Norman’s arrangement and drafted in a young John Barry to rearrange the piece - leading some people to assume he had written it, much to Norman's displeasure.
In 2001, Norman took The Sunday Times to court over an article that stated he had not written the famous guitar line used in the theme tune, and was awarded £30,000 libel damages. Norman also composed music for films such as The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll (1960), The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961), Call Me Bwana (1963) and the TV miniseries Dickens of London (1976).
Many people have taken to social media to pay tribute to Norman's passing. Food critic Jay Rayner tweeted: "I'd known Monty Norman since I was a kid. He was a lovely man, endlessly encouraging as I took my first steps into the world of music. He composed a slew of fabulous musicals, and arguably the greatest theme tune of all time, but wore it all lightly."
@sothcott wrote: "#MontyNorman has died - a talented composer who gained screen immortality by writing The James Bond Theme - cinema’s catchiest tune for the next six decades. RIP."
@DigbyMatt said: "RIP Monty Norman, the composer of the James Bond theme. A legend in the film soundtrack field."
@bassman78 commented: "R.I.P. Monty Norman.. your James Bond theme will never be matched.. Thank you for 60 years of Bond greatness."
@toysofbond added: "Sad to hearing of the passing of Monty Norman at the age of 94. A English singer and composer, he was in Bond circles of course most famous for composing the James Bond Theme. RIP Mr Norman."
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