Oscar-winning British songwriter Leslie Bricusse, known for his James Bond themes and Willy Wonka’s signature tune, has passed away on 19th October. He was 90. Going by sources, he died in his home, Saint-Paul-de-Vence in France.
Adam Bricusse, his son shared the news on the social media platform, Facebook that his father “passed away peacefully” on Tuesday, 19th Oct.
The exact cause of his death was not mentioned. Actress Joan Collins, a friend, also confirmed the same on Instagram that Bricusse “was one of the giant songwriters of our time.”
Leslie Bricusse, the Grammy and Oscar-winning Songwriter Dies at 90
Leslie Bricusse was born in the suburbs of Pinner in the city of London in the year 1931. He completed his graduation from Cambridge University. He was the president of the Footlights performance club in Cambridge.
He started composing music and lyrics in the 1950s for both stage and screen. He enjoyed success for more than 50 years. He wrote lyrics along with music by oh Barry for the James Bond theme songs “Goldfinger” and “You Only Live Twice”.
Leslie Bricusse was a prolific songwriter who was behind the biggest hit movies like Candyman and Goldfinger. Bricusse also wrote Candyman and Pure Imagination from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Speaking to BBC radio, Petula Clark, who sang You and I from 1968’s Goodbye Mr. Chips, said he was “extraordinary”.
Stage star Elaine Paige expressed her feelings on Microblogging platform, Twitter by writing, “Shocked & saddened by the news that the brilliant & wonderful Leslie Bricusse has died. One of our great songwriters. My first ever professional role was in Roar of the Greasepaint musical. We’ve been friends for many years. My heart & prayers are with Evie & his family tonight.”
Shocked & saddened by the news that the brilliant & wonderful Leslie Bricusse has died. One of our great songwriters. My first ever professional role was in Roar of the Greasepaint musical. We’ve been friends for many years. My heart & prayers are with Evie & his family tonight. pic.twitter.com/Sn5FBNlgFz
— Elaine Paige (@elaine_paige) October 19, 2021
Bricusse won a Grammy award in the year 1963 for the song What Kind of Fool Am I? from musical theatre “Stop the World I Want to Get Off”.
In an interview, Bricusse was asked about his feelings on winning the Academy Awards for which his response was, “The Oscars are brilliant. If the whole world was run by the Oscar committee it would be a much better place. I have nothing but admiration for them. I’m playing par – I’m 10 nominations and two wins. So if you reckon you win one in five, I’m on par.”
Bricusse’s music for “Doctor Doolittle,” has won the best-song Oscar in the year 1968 for “Talk to the Animals.” He has also worked as a lyricist with Henry Mancini as a composer in “Victor/Victoria” which won him a second Academy Award in the year 1983.
He is survived by Yvonne Romain, his wife, and their son, Adam Bricusse.
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