- Oscar-nominated composer, conductor and arranger Michael Kamen died this morning (Nov. 18) after suffering from multiple sclerosis for several years, his agent said. He was 55. Further details were not immediately available.
One of Hollywood's most successful composers, Kamen worked on music for the "Lethal Weapon" series and scored "Die Hard," among many other films. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, but did not go public about the disease until late September.
Kamen grew up in Queens, the son of liberal activists. In the late 1960s, he helped found the New York Rock'n'Roll Ensemble. In the 1970s, he scored ballets, served as musical director for David Bowie's Diamond Dogs tour and began writing scores for film.
Although he began in Hollywood working on offbeat films like "Polyester" and "Brazil," he turned more mainstream in the 1980s, working on the "Lethal Weapon" series, "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "Mr. Holland's Opus" and "X-Men," plus the HBO series "Band of Brothers."
In 1999, Kamen conducted the San Francisco Orchestra as it backed hard rock act Metallica on its live "S&M" project.
Article comments
1 - Craig Lyndall
What a big loss. Didn't he also do the symphony backup when Aerosmith played Dream On on MTV a few years back? Despite what anyone thought of the movie, the music from Robin Hood was really wonderful.
2 - Tom Johnson
This is very surprising. I didn't realize he had MS.
He's been involved in a lot of orchestra-with-rock-band things, Aerosmith being one as Craig mentioned, as well as Queensryche on the track "The Real World" from Last Action Hero.
3 - Ed Driscoll
Eric,
I'm very sorry to hear this--I've long admired Kamen's skills as an arranger and conductor. He contributed some wonderful arrangements to Pink Floyd's albums, beginning with The Wall. And Roger Waters' swan song with the group, The Final Cut, is practically built on Kamen's lush orchestral scores.
Ed
4 - Eric Olsen
thanks Ed, I'm surprised there hasn't been more attention on him, but I guess the industry knew he was ill and public has Jacko to concern themselves with
5 - Natalie Davis
Oh wow, I hadn't heard this. Kamen made some wonderful music. Condolences to his loved ones and admirers.
6 - Ronald Dalzell
I was researching a project for my music class in college and found out that Michael Kamen had done work with some rock groups. I decided to do my presengtation on him. As I was looking at all his works I found out that he was dead. The world has lost a great composer, conductor, and producer. The more I read on him the more mazed I was at the extent of his works. The entertainment world will greatly miss him.
7 - Chris
First heard of Michael when he was in the New York Rock and Roll Ensemble. I loved him then and now.