American composer and conductor John Williams is one of Hollywood’s most honored and decorated individuals. Although he may not be a household name to many film and television audiences, his music scores have been featured in many popular movies and TV shows. As such, John Williams has worked with top filmmakers in Hollywood.
John Williams’ career spans seven decades, with credits in every decade since the 1950s. His success over the years has made him one of the most successful composers in American history. The nonagenarian, who hasn’t stopped working, received another Oscar nomination for Best Original Score at the 96th Academy Awards in 2024 for his work in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). Honoring his legacy in American cinema, here are facts you’d be surprised you didn’t know about John Williams.
John Williams Was Born Into A Close-Knit Family
Williams was born John Towner Williams in Flushing, Queens, New York City, on February 8, 1932. John Williams was named after his father, Johnny Williams, and was the family’s second child. His mother, Esther Williams (née Towner), gave birth to two boys after John Williams. Williams also has an older sister. Growing up, he had a close relationship with his father, and they remained close until his death on October 19, 1985. Williams works with one of his brothers on his film scores.
His Father Influenced His Love For Music
John Williams’ love for music wasn’t something he developed as an adult. All of his life, Williams was exposed to music by his father. John Williams’ father was a professional jazz drummer and percussionist. He was so talented Johnny Williams was part of legendary composer Raymond Scott’ Quintet. Besides working with Raymond Scott, his father was also an in-demand drummer for CBS radio, where he played for several popular bands. After relocating the family to Hollywood, Johnny Williams began performing in soundtrack orchestras for Columbia Pictures. While his father favored music and its instruments, John Williams’ mother was a dancer.
He Joined The U.S. Air Force In 1951
A year after graduating from North Hollywood High School, John Williams joined the U.S. Air Force. Although his love for music composition hasn’t died, Williams wanted to serve his country, too. He found a way to do both when he joined the U.S. Air Force Band as part of his assignment. Williams brass and piano, while also helping to compose music for the band, being assigned to the Northeast Air Command 596th Air Force Band. John Williams did his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and was stationed at Pepperrell Air Force Base.
John Williams Is An Alumnus Of Juilliard
After being successfully discharged from service, John Williams continued his pursuit to learn music. He enrolled at Juilliard and studied under renowned Russian and American pianist and famed pedagogue Rosina Lhévinne. At the time, Williams was fascinated with becoming a concert pianist. However, all that changed after listening to Van Cliburn and John Browning’s play. Williams became enthused about music composition since, admittedly, he wrote music far better than he could play it.
He Had Accumulated An Impressive Discography Over The Years
Throughout his decades-long career, John Williams has released 40 studio albums. He also has an impressive collection of compositions he wrote as a conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra and when he was the music director of the Boston Pops Orchestra from 1980 to 1993. John Williams’ first studio albums were released in 1957. He released three albums that year, The John Towner Touch, World on a String, and The Johnny Williams Orchestra Plays Sounds from Screen Spectaculars. John Williams’ discography also reveals he has also released 17 EPs, 35 compilation albums, 2 live albums, 7 video albums, as well as 82 singles. As he remains active as a composer, Williams’ discography continues to expand.
John Williams Has Composed Music Scores For Several Famous Movies
John Williams’ film score credit began in 1954 when he wrote the composition of a promotional film while still serving in the U.S. Air Force. Across the decades, Williams has worked with different generations of filmmakers. In the 1960s, he worked with Frank Sinatra and composed the film score for None but the Brave (1965) and William Wyler’s How to Steal a Million (1966). John Williams first worked with Steven Spielberg in the director’s third-directed feature film, The Sugarland Express (1974). Williams also did the music score for the remaining Spielberg films of the 1970s, including Jaws (1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and 1941 (1979).
John Williams first worked with George Lucas in the director’s 1977 Star Wars. Like Spielberg, George Lucas also became a frequent collaborator of John Williams. Another frequent collaborator of Williams is filmmaker Chris Columbus. They first worked together in 1990 when John Williams did the music score for Home Alone (1990). Williams also worked with him on the first two Harry Potter film series installments, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Apart from a few of Steven Spielberg’s films, John Williams has provided the film score for most of them, including Spielberg’s last directed movie, The Fabelmans (2022).
John Williams Is The Most Nominated Living Person At The Oscars
To crown all of his achievements throughout his seven-decade career, John Williams has received the most Academy Award nominations for any living person. Williams only comes second to Walt Disney, who received a record-breaking 59 Academy Awards. As of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024, John Williams has received 54 Oscar nominations. However, John Williams has only won five of the 54 Academy Award nominations. If you enjoyed reading about the legendary John Williams, read about the 7 TV shows with the most spellbinding music scores.
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