Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

July 24, 1935 in Woking, Surrey, England

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Film

 

 

Vocal

 

Les Reed was a British composer and songwriter who was born on July 24, 1935, in Woking, Surrey, England. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father taught him to play the piano at a young age, and he quickly showed a talent for music. Reed began his career as a session musician in the 1950s, playing piano on recordings for artists such as Tommy Steele and Adam Faith. He also worked as a songwriter, penning hits for artists such as Petula Clark and Tom Jones. In the 1960s, Reed began to focus more on composing music for film and television. He wrote the theme music for the popular British TV show "The Saint," as well as the score for the film "It's Trad, Dad!" He also wrote the music for the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," which featured the hit song "We Have All the Time in the World," sung by Louis Armstrong. Reed's most famous composition is the instrumental piece "The Last Waltz," which he wrote in 1967. The song became a huge hit, reaching number one on the UK charts and earning Reed an Ivor Novello Award for Best Instrumental Composition. Throughout his career, Reed continued to write music for film and television, as well as for the stage. He wrote the music for the musical "The Magic Show," which ran on Broadway for over four years. He also composed the score for the film "The Girl on a Motorcycle," which starred Marianne Faithfull. In addition to his work as a composer, Reed was also a successful producer and arranger. He worked with artists such as Engelbert Humperdinck, Shirley Bassey, and Tom Jones, helping to create some of their most memorable recordings. Reed's music was known for its catchy melodies and lush orchestration. He was a master of creating memorable hooks and using instrumentation to create a rich, full sound. His music was often used in films and TV shows to create a sense of drama and emotion. Reed continued to work as a composer and producer well into his later years. He passed away on April 15, 2019, at the age of 83. His legacy as a composer and songwriter lives on, with his music continuing to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

More....