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Micheal Kamen Dead

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That's quite shocking. I was just watching him on the David Gilmour In Concert DVD. Rest in peace.

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Composer Who Worked With Metallica, Aerosmith Dead At 55

11.18.2003 8:45 PM EST

Composer, conductor and arranger Michael Kamen, who led the San Francisco Symphony in its collaboration with Metallica for the band's 1999 S&M album, died at home in London of an apparent heart attack Tuesday (November 18), according to his publicist. He was 55.

 

Known for being something of a rock and roll classicist, in 1974 Kamen served as musical director for David Bowie's Diamond Dogs tour, and he's worked on orchestrations for Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Queen, Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan. In 1991 he arranged an orchestral version of Aerosmith's "Dream On" for MTV's 10th anniversary celebration, but it was S&M that truly introduced him to the consciousness of today's young rock fans.

 

The album, whose title is short for Symphony & Metallica, was the culmination of two shows the seemingly opposing forces staged in Berkeley, California, in April 1999. Kamen, Metallica and the orchestra even took their show on the road, performing in New York and Berlin as well as at the Billboard Music Awards. The album sold more than 2.6 million copies and earned Kamen a Best Rock Instrumental Performance Grammy for "The Call of Ktulu."

 

Kamen was also known for his scores and soundtracks, including music for the sci-fi comedy "Brazil," "Lethal Weapon" (for which he collaborated with Clapton), "Die Hard," "Road House," James Bond's "Licensed to Kill," "Mr. Holland's Opus," "X-Men" and other films.

 

Working with Bryan Adams and producer Robert John "Mutt" Lang (Def Leppard, Shania Twain), Kamen earned his first Academy Award nomination, as well as another Grammy, for "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You," from the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." The soundtrack also won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. His second Oscar nod came for the score of 1995's "Don Juan DeMarco," which also won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement.

 

Kamen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six years ago but only went public with his illness in September, when he was honored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at a gala dinner. In one of his last interviews, with trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter, he said he never let the disease control his life.

 

"People in general ask me, 'Are you all right? Are you in pain?' " he told the magazine. "There really is no pain. There is some discomfort, and my walking isn't as good as it used to be, but I'm still able to conduct; I'm still able to get onstage and offstage; I'm still playing the keyboard and playing the oboe and singing. I'm writing music, and that hasn't slowed down. They talk about [MS patients] being overwhelmed by fatigue, but I think my life is so filled with stimulating things to do that fatigue just doesn't enter the equation."

 

Most recently, Kamen directed the music for the 2002 Winter Olympics and scored Kevin Costner's film "Open Range." He was working on stage adaptations of "Mr. Holland's Opus" and "Don Juan DeMarco" at the time of his death.

 

Kamen is survived by his wife, Sandra Keenan-Kamen, daughters Sasha Kamen and Zoe Kamen, father Saul Kamen, and brothers Jon Kamen, Len Kamen and Paul Kamen.

 

—Joe D'Angelo

 

http://www.mtv.com

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This was already posted in the Movies folder, obviously for his musical work on films.

 

This was posted over at MetClub:

 

MICHAEL KAMEN: A LOSS IN THE FAMILY | 11/20/2003

 

The Metallica family is saddened by the loss of our good friend and 'S&M' collaborator, Michael Kamen on Tuesday, November 18th. Michael lost his battle with multiple sclerosis at the age of 55.

 

In addition to working with us on 'S&M,' Michael enjoyed a very successful career composing for films such as 'Lethal Weapon' and 'Die Hard.' He worked with Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, and many others pioneering the fusion of orchestral arrangements with rock, and is the winner of several Grammy Awards, including one for 'S & M.'

 

'S&M' was Michael's idea, Michael's brainchild. He said he had always felt that our music lent itself to a collaboration with an orchestra, and from the time he approached us with the idea at that first breakfast meeting in 1997, to the day after the final mixes were complete on the record and the DVD, through the performances in Berlin, New York, and Las Vegas, we enjoyed two extremely fun, challenging, and creative years together. Michael will be missed by all of us, and will always remain an integral part of the Metallica family.

 

Please join us in paying our respects to Michael and his family. If you would like to make a contribution in Michael's memory, the Kamen family asks that donations be made to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. After composing the music for the film of the same name, Michael was inspired to do something to keep music alive in schools across the country, and through this foundation he has made it possible to continue to inspire and teach future generations of musicians. Donations may be made by mail, phone or online. For more information go to: http://www.mhopus.org/donate.htm

 

UYI

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That's really sad. He also arranged the orchestra on "Who Wants To Live Forever", one of my favorite Queen songs of all time. He truly was a very talented man.

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