Man with the musical touch: James Bond composer John Barry dies of heart attack

Film composer John Barry, famous for his many scores for James Bond films, has died aged 77. Picture: AP Source: AP

Barry died in New York on Sunday, his family said.

Barry, who was awarded five Oscars for his acclaimed soundtracks for films including Dances with Wolves and Out of Africa died Sunday in New York, according to his family.

"It's terribly, terribly sad. He was the most wonderful man. It's just so sudden, but he was very frail. It was an honour to represent him," said Barry’s agent, Lynda Mamy.

Fellow Bond composer David Arnold wrote on Twitter: “It was with a heavy heart that I tell you John Barry passed away this morning.

"I am profoundly saddened by the news but profoundly thankful for everything he did for music and for me personally.”

Barry, who was born in York, northern England, never won any awards for his work on the Bond films, despite writing the title tracks for Goldfinger, From Russia With Love and You Only Live Twice.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Laurie, four children and five grandchildren.

Barry's greatest hits: Goldfinger, James Bond Theme

 His association with 007 began controversially with Dr. No in 1962, although his contribution was not credited.

Monty Norman, who was credited as the composer for Dr. No, sued The Sunday Times in 2001 for reporting that Barry had been called in to help after Norman's inspiration faltered. Norman won the case.

Barry, who was not sued, had testified that he was paid to work on the music but had agreed that Norman would get the credit, which was his contractual right.

Barry subsequently wrote music for Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Diamonds are Forever, The Man with the Golden Gun, Moonraker, Octopussy, A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights. Away from Bond he found fame with his music to such films as Zulu, Born Free, The Ipcress File and Dances with Wolves. His last film score was for the 2001 war thriller Enigma.

Greatest hits: Dances with Wolves, Out of Africa

Born in York, England, as John Barry Prendergast, he trained as a pianist and then took up the trumpet. He founded a jazz group, the John Barry Seven, in 1957.

"The James Bond movies came because we were successful in the pop music world, with a couple of big instrumental hits. They thought I knew how to write instrumental hit music," Barry said in an interview in 1991.

Lyricist Don Black, who co-wrote songs including Born Free and Diamonds Are Forever with Barry, said success never changed him.

"I think I knew him as well as anyone in the world. We were best friends for a long time, since the early Sixties," he said. "He had a wonderful talent and gave me my start with Thunderball and I owe him a great deal.

"When he played you a melody it was like an unveiling. You didn't question it because you knew he had been up all night working on it and getting it right."

Greatest hits: OHMSS, We Have All the Time in the World

Music producer and DJ Mark Ronson wrote on Twitter: "RIP John Barry. One of the greatest composers EVER."

His style, complete with lush strings and grand orchestral movements, was instantly recognisable and influenced stars including Robbie Williams whose 1998 number one hit Millennium was inspired by the theme to You Only Live Twice.