Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

February 24, 1947 in Northwich, Cheshire, England

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Orchestral

 

Rupert Holmes is a British-American composer, singer-songwriter, and playwright who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on February 24, 1947, in Northwich, Cheshire, England, Holmes grew up in a musical family. His father, Leonard Holmes, was a bandleader, and his mother, Gwendolen Mary, was a singer. Holmes began playing the piano at the age of six and showed a natural talent for music. Holmes moved to the United States with his family when he was six years old and settled in Nanuet, New York. He continued to pursue his passion for music and began writing songs at the age of 13. He attended the Manhattan School of Music and the New York School of Interior Design, where he studied music and architecture. In the early 1970s, Holmes began his career as a singer-songwriter and released his debut album, "Widescreen," in 1974. The album featured the hit single "Terminal," which reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Holmes continued to release albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "Partners in Crime" (1979), which featured the hit single "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition to his work as a singer-songwriter, Holmes also made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He composed the score for the Broadway musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," which won five Tony Awards in 1986, including Best Musical. The musical was based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens and featured a unique twist in which the audience voted on the ending of the play. Holmes also composed the score for the television miniseries "Remember WENN," which aired on American Movie Classics from 1996 to 1998. The series was set in a fictional radio station in Pittsburgh during the 1940s and featured original songs composed by Holmes. In 2008, Holmes composed the score for the Broadway musical "Curtains," which was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical was a murder mystery set in the world of musical theater and starred David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk. Holmes has also composed music for films, including "The First Wives Club" (1996) and "The Associate" (1996). He has won several awards for his work, including three Emmy Awards for his work on "Remember WENN" and a Drama Desk Award for his work on "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." In addition to his work as a composer, Holmes is also a playwright. He wrote the book, music, and lyrics for the musical "Accomplice," which premiered in 1990 and ran for over 200 performances on Broadway. The play was a murder mystery that featured a unique twist in which the audience was asked to keep the ending a secret. Holmes has also written several novels, including "Where the Truth Lies" (2003) and "Swing" (2018). "Where the Truth Lies" was adapted into a film in 2005, starring Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth. Throughout his career, Holmes has demonstrated a unique ability to blend different genres of music, including classical, pop, and rock. His contributions to the world of classical music have been significant, and his work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. Today, Holmes continues to write and compose music, and his legacy as a composer and songwriter continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

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