One of Yorkshire’s most famous musical exports – the wonderfully prolific, multi-award winning John Barry – has died of a heart attack aged 77.
Famed for his James Bond themes including Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever, Barry created over 90 film scores including Zulu, Born Free (sung by Matt Munro), Out of Africa, Midnight Cowboy and Dances With Wolves.
Born in York in the 30s, Barry’s father ran a cinema business in Yorkshire whilst his mother was a pianist. Barry was a classically trained pianist himself before he turned to jazz, forming the John Barry Seven in the 50s.
His film scores won Barry a number of Oscars and Grammys, and he was named an Honorary Freeman of the City of York on the same day as another York great, Dame Judi Dench, was also given the Freedom of the City.