Michael Kamen

 

[1948 - 2003] One of the most versatile composers of modern American cinema, Kamen was successful is using reference to rock, symphonic music or jazz. Discovered a new cliché for action movies in the soundtracks of the series Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. From classical basis Kamen studied oboe at Julliard School of Music and created a rock/classical hybrid group called The New York Rock and Roll Ensemble. During this period, collaborated in the music for the film Zachariah (1971), curious "hippie-western " with participation of groups like Country Joe and the Fish, James Gang, drummer Elvin Jones and of course, The New York Rock and Roll Ensemble. He also collaborated with many pop music artists such as Elton John, Eurythmics, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, having worked as an orchestrator in the adaptation of the album The Wall to its film version. His first soundtrack was done for the movie The Next Man (1976), but it was only with Dead Zone (1983), that became known in the film medium. Then, Brazil (1985) and Highlander (1986), made him best known in cinema. With Lethal Weapon (1987) and Die Hard (1988) definitely established a career in the market. He was one of the busiest composers, even for standard Hollywood movies such as Robin Hood (1991), The Three Musketeers (1993) and Last Action Hero (1993) and for unusual soundtracks like The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), Don Juan De Marco (1995), Hudson Hawk (1991) and What Dreams May Come (1998). The project Mr Holland Ophus (1995) started a joint work with actor Richard Dreyfuss: both founded the association Mr Holland Opus Foundation dedicated to providing musical instruments to needy students.