Trivia

Has scored 11 of the James Bond films and his influence was very much heard in the first, Dr. No (1962), via his work on The James Bond Theme.

His "We Have All the Time in the World," sung by Louis Armstrong, from the soundtrack of the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) -- in which 007 weds -- was found in 2005 to be the third most popular choice for UK just-married couples' first dance (after Bryan Adams and The Carpenters).

Federico Fellini once confessed to an interviewer that Barry's Goldfinger (1964) was his favorite movie score.

Japanese film and television composer Shirô Sagisu has acknowledged Barry's work as an influence; in fact, one of Shirô's compositions for Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) is a blatant homage to a theme called "007" which appears in several James Bond film scored by Barry.

To date (2009), the composer holds the record for the most James Bond scores - a total of 12. Barry also holds the record for the most consecutive 007 scores - six.

The BBC frequently uses his film themes and cues during documentaries or factual programmes such as Top Gear, Countryfile etc.

He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honors List for his services to music.

Counts Goldfinger (1964) as his personal favorite of all his 007 scores.

Residing in Oyster Bay, New York. (January 2009)

Children: Suzanne (with Barbara Pickard), Sian (with Ulla Larsson), Kate Barry (with Jane Birkin) and JonPatrick (with Laurie Barry).

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1998.

When Barry won Oscars for "Best Music, Original Music Score" and "Best Music, Original Song" from Born Free (1966), not only was it his first Oscar victory, it was also the first time an Englishman had won both those particular categories. Barry first heard of his wins from friend (and future "Phantom of the Opera" star) Michael Crawford who'd seen the ceremonies on TV in New York and called him in the UK with the news.

At one point during the inception of his song "Goldfinger," Barry approached fellow-composers Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse about writing the lyrics. Barry proceeded to play the first few bars and both men sang: "... wider than a mile ..." (from Henry Mancini's "Moon River"). The first three notes of both songs have identical melodies.

He declined an offer to score GoldenEye (1995), so Éric Serra filled in.

He suffered a rupture of the oesophagus in 1988, following a toxic reaction to a health tonic he had consumed. The incident rendered him unable to work for two years and left him vulnerable to pneumonia.

In 1975 Barry moved to California. A British judge later accused him of emigrating to avoid paying £134,000 due the Inland Revenue. The matter was resolved in the late 1980s and Barry was able to return to the UK. He subsequently lived for many years in the United States, mainly in Oyster Bay, New York, in Centre Island on Long Island, from 1980.

Met his fourth wife, Laurie Barry, through 007 producer Barbara Broccoli.

On Tuesday June 25, 2002, he was confirmed as an Honorary Freeman of the City of York in a special ceremony at the city's Assembly Rooms. He received his award from City of York Council at a special luncheon at the Assembly Rooms where he once used to play trumpet in a jazz band on Saturday nights in the 1950s.

On Friday June 28, 2002, at The James Bond Celebrity Golf Classic and Gala Dinner, held at the prestigious Stoke Poges, Stoke Park Club, Barry received the prestigious GoldenEye award, for his contribution to the music of James Bond. The award was courtesy of The Ian Fleming Foundation.

Was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship at the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, London, February 12, 2005, becoming the first composer to receive the honour.

Made many recordings with Johnny De Little, including the film themes "The Knack" and "Days of Wine & Roses".

He was unable to score Licence to Kill (1989) as he was undergoing throat surgery, so Michael Kamen filled in.

In 1999 Barry was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) at Buckingham Palace for services to music.

His memorable string introduction to "You Only Live Twice" was sampled by former Take That singer and solo superstar Robbie Williams as the main hook for his first UK number one single "Millennium" in 1998.

September 2004 - in London for the opening of his stage musical version of Graham Greene's 'Brighton Rock', with lyrics by Don Black.

He regarded his score for The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) as his least favourite James Bond score, having only three weeks to do it.

He was unavailable to score Live and Let Die (1973), so George Martin stepped in.

He recorded a score for Howard the Duck (1986) that went unused, after producer Gloria Katz deemed it to be too old-fashioned and lacking in energy. Sylvester Levay was hired to rescore much of the film, including nearly the entire final third act.

He had total recall and could remember every film he scored, every hit he had,and every musician he worked with.

Early in his career the composer owned an E-Type Jaguar car.

He was unable to score The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) and For Your Eyes Only (1981) as he was unavailable to work in the United Kingdom because of tax reasons. Marvin Hamlisch and Bill Conti filled in.

He wrote a score for The Golden Child (1986), but it was rejected in favor of Michel Colombier's synthesizer music. Two Barry compositions remain in the soundtrack, one of those being Ann Wilson's "Best Man in The World" (La-La Land released the complete work of both composers).

He was invited to do the music for Never Say Never Again (1983), but he politely declined, out of respect for Albert R. Broccoli, and his association with EON Productions.

His father, apart from running 8 Cinemas he staged concerts with artists such as Nat King Cole and Gracie Fields..

Elizabeth Taylor employed him in 1964 as music director for her tv special ''Elizabeth Taylor in London'.

Presented with the Music Industry Trusts' Award in 1999 for his outstanding contribution to the British music industry.

September 2006 - in London for a concert of his music at the Royal Albert Hall.

He's composed and conducted the music for all the Bond films, up to the time of his death, with the exception of Live and Let Die, The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, Licence To Kill and Goldeneye.

He composed the music for 13 of the James Bond films.

He did his military service in Egypt and Cyprus with the Military Band of the Second Infantry Division of the Green Howards.

He had little interest in school as he knew even then that he wanted to be a film music composer. He loved Erich Korngold's score for 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'.

Had a house set in 4 acres on an island 40 miles North of New York.

His mother was a classical pianist.

Went to court to try and disown the score for 'Howard the Duck'.

The directors he likes are Sidney Pollack, Richard Attenborough, Francis Coppola and John Schlessinger.

Married Laurie, 25 years younger than himself.

Despite him having a hit with 'We Have All the Time in the World' he's never been crazy about writing individual songs. He prefers it when the music with the song is embedded in the drama.

Whilst known for all his film score he has done some for the theatre including 'Passion Flower Hotel' and 'Lolita My Love'.

He had score 3 Oscar Best Picture winners: Midnight Cowboy (1969), Out of Africa (1985) and Dances with Wolves (1990).

His father owned 8 cinemas in York including The Rialto.