NEW YORK (Soundtracks online magazine) - "Licence To Kill" composer Michael Kamen has died aged 55 from a heart attack, after suffering from multiple sclerosis. He leaves behind his wife and two daughters in London, England.
Michael Kamen was born on 15th April 1948 in New York, USA, and was educated at Juilliard School, where he studied oboe. He later graduated from High School of Music & Art (New York City) in 1965.
As well as composing the score for the 16th Bond film "Licence To Kill" (1989), Kamen worked on numerous Hollywood blockbusters including the Die Hard and Lethal Weapon series.
Kamen's career as a composer, artist, arranger, conductor and collaborator included ballets, television, Hollywood films, singles for pop music artists, creating arrangements that combine hard rock group Metallica with a symphony orchestra and composing a classical symphony entitled "The New Moon in the Old Moon�s Arms" which debuted at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., on January 13, 2000, to celebrate the new millennium.
He earned three Grammys, was nominated for two Oscars and two Golden Globe Awards, and his score for the film "Iron Giant" won a prestigious Annie Award, the highest honor for an animated feature.
Along with Academy Award-winning Actor Richard Dreyfuss, Kamen also established the non-profit "Mr. Holland�s Opus Foundation," dedicated to giving musical instruments to needy students.
Kamen leaves a wife and two children.
A life in movies....
Kamen, 55, was best known for his movie soundtracks as well as his work with bands such as Aerosmith and Pink Floyd.
His most recent award was in 2001 when he won a Grammy for his work on Metallica's song The Call of Ktulu.
In 1992 he was nominated for an Oscar for Bryan Adams' song (Everything I Do) I Do it For You, from the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Four years later he picked up a further nomination, again for work with Adams, for the song Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman, from the film Don Juan DeMarco.
Kamen worked on the orchestral arrangements for Pink Floyd's 1979 album The Wall, and worked with the band on the albums The Final Cut and The Division Bell.
He also worked with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, jazz saxophonist David Sanborn, and rock stars Sting, Rod Stewart, David Bowie and Eric Clapton.
Kamen also won a Grammy in 1996 for best instrumental arrangement on An American Symphony, inspired by his work on Richard Dreyfuss' musical drama Mr Holland's Opus.
