Monty Norman was a British film composer and singer best known for composing the James Bond theme. He died on 11 July 2022 due to a short illness.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Monty Norman was born Monty Noserovich in Stepney, East London, on Wednesday, 4 April 1928 (aged 94 at death).
Physical Appearance
Hair Color: Gray
Eye colour: black
Family
parents and siblings
Monty’s father was Abraham Noserovich, a cabinet minister. His mother’s name was Annie, who used to sew people’s clothes. He was the only child of his parents.
wife and children
Monty married actress Diana Coupland in 1956. They divorced in 1975. They had a daughter, Shoshana Kitchen.
Monty Norman with his first wife Diana Coupland
In 2000, he married Rina Cesari. He had two stepdaughters, Clea Griffin and Livia Griffiths.
Monty Norman with his second wife Rena Cesari
Religion
Monty practiced Judaism.
Signature
Monty Norman’s signature
livelihood
Monty started his career in radio broadcasting. In the 1950s and early 1960s, Monty sang for such notables as Cyril Stapleton, Stanley Black, Ted Heath, and Nat Temple. Before becoming a solo artist, he performed several double acts with comedian Benny Hill.
Monty Norman performing on stage
Later, he changed his track from singing to writing. The song ‘False Hearted Lover’ written by him gained international fame. In an interview he said,
I started writing songs and when one of them, False Hearted Lover, became quite successful I decided I wanted to move in that direction. My parents were skeptical but I was sure this was what I wanted to do.”
Monty Norman explaining the song he wrote to the producers
In the 1950s, he began producing songs and worked with artists such as Cliff Richard, Tommy Steele, Count Basie and Bob Hope. In 1962, Monty was hired by producer Albert Cubby Broccoli to compose a theme for the James Bond film Dr. No, starring Sean Connery. He was busy with other projects and was about to say no to Broccoli when he and his partner Harry Saltzman asked Monty to come to Jamaica with his wife at the producers’ expense. Talking about this in an interview, Monty said,
Well, that was the clincher for me! I thought, even if Dr. No turns out to be a stinker, at least we’ll have the sun, sea and sand to show for it!”
Poster of James Bond film Dr. No
Monty created the James Bond theme for the musical adaptation of the novel ‘A House for Mr. Biswas’. Monty talked about the score on his official website and said,
We recognized that we needed a fresh, contemporary sound for the main theme, and we found a wonderful arranger in the up-and-coming young John Barry, so the whole thing worked very well.
Cover of the book ‘A House for Mr. Biswas’
Monty worked with and wrote songs for major rock stars including Cliff Richard and Tommy Steele. He also composed music for stage shows including Make Me an Offer, Expresso Bongo, Songbook and Poppy.
Poster of the play ‘Expresso Bongo’
He also wrote music for films including 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).
Poster of the movie ‘Call Me Bawana’
Controversy
In 2001, Monty came into controversy when his partner John Barry, who had arranged the theme for the James Bond series created by Monty in 1962, claimed authorship of the theme. Monty sued the Sunday Times for saying that Monty was not a real musician. In 2001, when the court announced its verdict, it awarded Monty £30,000 because he had won the case.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 1959, the musical Make Me an Offer won the Evening Standard Award for ‘Best Musical’.
- In 1961, he was nominated for Broadway’s Tony Award for Best Musical for the stage show Irma La Douce.
- In 1977, he won an Ivor Novello Award for composing the James Bond theme.
- In 1981, he was nominated again for the 1961 Broadway Tony Award for Best Musical Representation of the Book, The Mooney Shapiro Songbook.
- In 1989, he received a Gold Badge of Merit for services to British music from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).
Death
Monty died on 11 July 2022 due to a short illness. Condoling his death, the official website wrote,
We are sad to share the news that Monty Norman passed away on July 11, 2022 after a short illness.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Monty was born to Jewish parents. When his father was young, he traveled from Latvia to England with Monty’s grandmother.
- During World War II, Monty left London, but returned in the 1940s. During this time he contributed to national service in the RAF.
Monty Norman during his teenage years
- His mother bought him his first guitar when he was sixteen as the price of guitars had fallen from £17 (Rs 1352) to £15 (Rs 1193). In an interview he had said that he had kept this guitar with him for a long time. he adds,
I still have that guitar – a 1930s Gibson. I never use it, but I keep it as a talisman. My mom and dad never understood what career I chose, but bless them, they were wonderful and allowed me to pursue it.”
Monty Norman with his guitar when he was young
- In an interview, he said that he was introduced to music by his landlady’s children, who played popular songs in their house.
- Monty learned guitar from Bert Weedon, a popular guitarist.
- Monty attended services at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London.
- He was often seen drinking alcohol on various occasions.
monty norman holding a glass of wine
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn