Movie Composer James Horner Dies In Plane Crash

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Movie Composer James Horner Dies In Plane Crash

Posted by timothy on Tuesday June 23, 2015 @02:24AM from the lifetime-of-work dept.

necro81 writes: James Horner, the Oscar-winning composer for the soundtracks of dozens of movies, died Monday while piloting his aircraft in California. Horner, who had a long collaboration with directors James Cameron and Ron Howard, was behind the music for major blockbusters like Avatar, Titanic, Braveheart, Apollo 13, and A Beautiful Mind. Other scores notable to the /. crowd include Star Trek II, Sneakers, Deep Impact, Aliens, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Willow, and *Batteries Not Included.

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Ahhh by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:28 · Score: 1

Deep Impact > Armageddon
1. Re:Ahhh by voss · 2015-06-23 12:07 · Score: 1
  
  Robert Duvall as an astronaut > the entire crew of armageddon.
wtf people by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:30 · Score: 4, Funny

The content link is a google search?
1. Re:wtf people by necro81 · 2015-06-23 03:07 · Score: 1
  
  It's a developing story. By linking to a Google News search, readers will be able to see (what google's algorithms think are) the most important and relevant news articles related to the topic.
  
  Bonus: if it turns out to all be a hoax, the linked-to Google search will, months or years from now, reflect that.
2. Re:wtf people by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 03:08 · Score: 0
  
  At least it wasn't a lmgtfy link!
3. Re:wtf people by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 04:42 · Score: 0
  
  Are you new? You're not supposed to read the detail before posting.
4. Re:wtf people by Plumpaquatsch · 2015-06-23 05:27 · Score: 1
  
  The content link is a google search?
  It beats the usual link to a add-supported blog badly rehashing the rehash of a news story, that also manages to distort the facts so they fit the views of the editor.
  
  --
  Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
5. Re:wtf people by tompaulco · 2015-06-23 06:20 · Score: 1
  
  Apparently google's algorithm thinks that the most relevant stories are the ones that say that he is "feared dead". There are a few on the front page that say he is dead, but most of them say he is feared dead.
  
  --
  If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
6. Re:wtf people by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-24 02:03 · Score: 0
  
  Coming soon to a Slashdot near you... stories are a link to Google's top searches.
Will his funeral feature a penny-whistle solo? by halivar · 2015-06-23 02:34 · Score: 4, Funny

Too soon? Am I going to hell for that remark? :(
News for nerds? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:35 · Score: 0, Redundant

I don't mean to be rudely apathetic but someone who worked in the celebrity industry died tragically flying his own plane. Ok, Nerd or tech relevancy??
1. Re: News for nerds? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:48 · Score: 0
  
  How dare you question Dice.
  How dare you question Dice!
KRULL by Roadmaster · 2015-06-23 02:41 · Score: 1

Music for Krull was also composed by Horner. Given the fantasy theme I think this is also "notable to the ./ crowd".
1. Re:KRULL by The_Rook · 2015-06-23 11:47 · Score: 1
  
  also Battle Beyond the Stars. early in his career he worked for roger corman.
  
  --
  when religion is no longer the opiate of the masses, governments will resort to real opiates.
Willow? by xxxJonBoyxxx · 2015-06-23 02:47 · Score: 1

>> Other scores notable to the /. crowd include ...Willow...
Um...what are you trying to say, exactly?
1. Re:Willow? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:52 · Score: 0
  
  We have a hobbit fetish. And a Grandmother fetish. And a guy in a Skullmask fetish.
  Heaven help us if there's ever a crossover between Leprechaun, Friday the Thirteenth and Mrs. Doubtfire.
Who cares? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:47 · Score: 0

How is this news for nerds? Waiting for follow up article with sexist angle on this or some lgbt spin.
Battle Beyond the Stars by the_skywise · 2015-06-23 02:51 · Score: 1

Can't believe they keep ignoring his first score. Sure it wasn't a popular movie but his soundtrack work there has some of the basic themes heard in Star Trek 2, 3 and Aliens.
Also, some of his Aliens work that didn't make Aliens ended up in Die Hard (near the end where Karl shows up and gets gunned down)l
1. Re:Battle Beyond the Stars by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 04:11 · Score: 0
  
  >Can't believe they keep ignoring his first score.
  Probably because the best bits of Battle Beyond the Stars were retreads from Patton, Star Trek the Motion Picture, Alexander Nevsky and Romeo and Juliette. Horner was able to spin a career out of coming up with catchy tunes but that's it.
2. Re:Battle Beyond the Stars by Virtucon · 2015-06-23 04:11 · Score: 1
  
  Well let's not ignore the score. Well maybe, but please ignore the movie.
  
  --
  Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
Gone too soon by PhrostyMcByte · 2015-06-23 02:51 · Score: 3, Interesting

I was very upset to hear this last night. My favorite composition from him was Casper's Lullaby -- beautiful, haunting, and simple. They are what inspired me to learn piano in my 20s.
1. Re:Gone too soon by shubus · 2015-06-23 08:58 · Score: 1
  
  Horner will be missed by all lovers of film music. He was one of the very best Hollywood had to offer and left us with a vast array of memorable scores.
2. Re:Gone too soon by thinkwaitfast · 2015-06-23 11:52 · Score: 1
  
  Michael's Gift To Karen from Brainstorm one of my favorite sounds tracks as a kid. Like John Williams, it's not a coincidence that the movies he scored are the highest grossing of all time.
3. Re:Gone too soon by Agripa · 2015-06-25 06:32 · Score: 1
  
  I would have gone with Lillian's Heart Attack. I was very disappointed when the trailer for Darkman used this but the movie used Danny Elfman's music.
Battle for the Mutara Nebula by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:54 · Score: 1, Insightful

The man wrote the score to Star Trek II, which includes the epic Battle for the Mutara Nebula. That alone is enough to get him a mention on Slashdot.
1. Re:Battle for the Mutara Nebula by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 05:14 · Score: 0
  
  Wait......Willow? Get off of Slashdot now.
  What are you still doing here, I'm not kidding. Get off NOW! That is an instant, permanent revocation of a GeekCard!
  Sorry, but there are some lines that must be drawn.
2. Re:Battle for the Mutara Nebula by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2015-06-23 05:26 · Score: 1
  
  The man wrote the score to Star Trek II, which includes the epic Battle for the Mutara Nebula. That alone is enough to get him a mention on Slashdot.
  Why is this modded down? This is exactly why this story is here! Have we really lost our nerd culture around here?
  
  --
  
  "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
3. Re:Battle for the Mutara Nebula by thinkwaitfast · 2015-06-23 05:51 · Score: 1
  
  Last week I watched Wrath of Khan, which I had seen a dozen times over the years. I then listened to the soundtrack for the first time and realized it was the music that made it such a great movie. Looking up James Horner on Wikipedia, I learned that he was only 61 which brought to me comfort that he would likely be around for a while longer bringing such great music.
As the plan went down by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 02:58 · Score: 0

You know he had to have been humming "Bishops Countdown" from the Aliens score as the plan was going down. /ok I do feel guilty about saying that.. mostly.
Was he stealing from Goldsmith at the time? by sandbagger · 2015-06-23 03:00 · Score: 1

Just wondering.

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Star Trek II by wikthemighty · 2015-06-23 03:02 · Score: 2

RIP James. The Star Trek II theme is the first music that comes to mind when I think of Star Trek.

--
"There are people who do not love their fellow human being, and I _hate_ people like that!" - Tom Lehrer
Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by Hognoxious · 2015-06-23 03:16 · Score: 1

I generally don't pay much attention to the music (of course I'm aware it's there) when I'm watching a film.
But seeing as he's done the tunes for a few that a I really like I might try digging out a few soundtracks, or watching with the picture off.

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
1. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 03:22 · Score: 0
  
  I do. And with the loss of Goldsmith, now Horner, and eventually John Williams who must be getting pretty old by now, I pay a lot less attention because film music is mostly carbon copies of Hans Zimmer, who while good in his own right, is way too copied/inspired from these days that soundtracks lose a lot of their individuality and character..
  Gimme some Casper (Horner), Powder (Goldsmith), Indiana Jones (Williams) any time, with memorable themes and leitmotifs... Mmmmmm!
2. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 03:39 · Score: 1
  
  A good film score does not distract from the film, it adds to it. You should only notice if it is not there. In film score class I watched Jaws without the music and it would not have been a good movie without the background music to set the mood.
3. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by xxxJonBoyxxx · 2015-06-23 03:40 · Score: 1
  
  >> Does anyone pay attention to the music in the films
  I certainly do. In fact, I often "watch" my favorite movies with the video OFF so I can just concentrate on the audio. If you've never tried this, a starter list might be: Once Upon a Time in the West (Morricone), 2001 (various classical), Conan the Barbarian (Poledouris) and The New World (one of Horner's scores).
4. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 04:31 · Score: 0
  
  Interesting, I've often felt the opposite. That, a good soundtrack should not be noticeable. If you're watching a scene unfold but the music is distracting and takes your attention away from the action, then that's definitely a bad thing.
5. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by tlhIngan · 2015-06-23 04:49 · Score: 2
  
  I generally don't pay much attention to the music (of course I'm aware it's there) when I'm watching a film.
  But seeing as he's done the tunes for a few that a I really like I might try digging out a few soundtracks, or watching with the picture off.
  You might think you don't, but you actually do. Even if you're not aware of it.
  Sound is actually a critical part of a motion picture - more so than the picture itself! Many studies have been conducted (and you can do it yourself, too) - with the sound muted (turn on subtitles), you'll find the movie is actually lacking. Reverse it - with the picture off and the sound on, and it doesn't matter - you get the full range of emotions and environment that the director was trying to create, even though you're not actually seeing the images. That's how important sound is.
  Even before the era of talkies where you had a gramophone or piano player, they were doing the same thing - to provide context and emphasis for the images.
  And the movie's score plays a VERY important role in emotional development - it's not just putting some music to fill in some gaps, but the right choice of instruments, tempo and cues adds excitement to action sequences, suspense during sneak scenes, sorrow or sadness during bad events, etc.
  If you have a movie that is particularly moving, try watching it without sound and you'll wonder what the big deal was.
  Oh and yes, the music is intended to be background music - you're not supposed to notice it unless the director really has a lull in the dialog or effects or is doing a hero sequence. That's what makes it even more powerful.
  If you have a particularly good ear, and given modern movies typically follow a standard three-act structure, pay attention to the hero theme - first when it plays out at the beginning ("everything's going great!"), then see how it evolves in the second act (hero is challenged) and third act (hero is wounded and must somehow overcome). And finally after the denouement, hear the theme again (hero succeeds).
  It's somewhat ironic, that in a motion picture, sound is probably the most important aspect of it, not the picture.
6. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by cyberchondriac · 2015-06-23 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  It will be sad day indeed to me when John WIlliams goes. IMO, he's the greatest popular composer of the last 50 years. The guy is a living legend.
  
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  Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
7. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by tompaulco · 2015-06-23 06:08 · Score: 2
  
  Interesting, I've often felt the opposite. That, a good soundtrack should not be noticeable. If you're watching a scene unfold but the music is distracting and takes your attention away from the action, then that's definitely a bad thing.
  Castaway had no soundtrack, at least while he was on the island. I have more respect for Tom Hanks being able to bring about the proper emotion without the audience being led by the nose as in a typical movie.
  
  --
  If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
8. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by Boronx · 2015-06-23 07:49 · Score: 1
  
  That harmonica
  
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  Play Command HQ online
9. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 08:51 · Score: 0
  
  While he's largely a TV guy, I'm a big fan of Bear McCreary. He did Battlestar Galactic and likely several other sci-fi shows you watch.
10. Re:Does anyone pay attention to the music in films by SgtAaron · 2015-06-23 12:05 · Score: 1
  
  While he's largely a TV guy, I'm a big fan of Bear McCreary. He did Battlestar Galactic and likely several other sci-fi shows you watch.
  Oh for sure. I mean, it only took the opening scene of BSG to get me pretty hooked and the music just added to the awesome factor. Then it just got better!
  And there seem to be many trolls saying this isn't news for nerds and yada yada. But they likely did not watch Wrath of Khan in a theater at first release. I was just closing in on being a teenager. Sometimes the music gets stuck in my head I have so many neurons dedicated to its storage! Hah.
  Seriously though, we'll never know now his future compositions. Damn!
He was ... by PPH · 2015-06-23 03:39 · Score: 1

... working on a score for a Harrison Ford movie at the time.

--
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Avatar 2 by Mike610544 · 2015-06-23 03:52 · Score: 1

Now they'll have to get some guy to just recycle Horner's previous themes ... ;)

--
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Post Accident Analysis by maroberts · 2015-06-23 03:56 · Score: 1

The plane crashed ... but his heart went on.

--
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Karma: Chameleon
The Rocketeer by Venner · 2015-06-23 04:10 · Score: 1

Very sad. He's composed some of my favorite film scores over the years, but the score that I always loved was for "The Rocketeer" (Main Title). I asked my parents to buy it for me on cassette tape, but could never find it in a local store. (Oh pre-internet days!)
RIP Mr. Horner.

--
A preposition is a terrible thing to end a sentence with.
Sneakers by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 04:12 · Score: 0

Sneakers is a great movie, and I loved the soundtrack for it. I think it added a lot to an already fantastic movie.
Saddened by this news. At least there are some great movies to re-watch in tribute.
Re:This is not news that matters by mccalli · 2015-06-23 04:43 · Score: 1

So am I. I'm very sorry that a man who wrote the music for films of my childhood and made the sci-fi and fantasy come alive, has gone. Battle Beyond The Stars, Krull, Star Trek II - as a kid in the 80s these were all exciting and thrilling things to me. They helped create a love of music in me too, something I have continued to adulhood and now write my own music as well.

Yes, it is news that matters for nerds.
Farewell Mr. Horner by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2015-06-23 05:19 · Score: 2

I cannot even begin to measure how much impact this man's work has had on my life. Last night I went through Youtube and found a bunch of sound tracks he did and I just cannot believe how many distinctive themes he has burned into my mind. Listening to some of these I could almost see the movie playing in my mind. Truly iconic work.
Farewell Mr. Horner.

--

"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
Offtopic by Plumpaquatsch · 2015-06-23 05:23 · Score: 0

Deep Impact > Armageddon
Syfy Original Movies > Armageddon

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Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
1. Re:Offtopic by cyberchondriac · 2015-06-23 05:34 · Score: 1
  
  Now that's just cruel.
  
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  Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
2. Re:Offtopic by Stormwatch · 2015-06-23 06:31 · Score: 1
  
  Deep Impact > Armageddon
  Syfy Original Movies > Armageddon
  The Asylum movies > Armageddon
  
  --
  Circumcision is child abuse.
No love for Krull? by DRMShill · 2015-06-23 07:24 · Score: 1

Maybe I'm the only one that actually liked it
1. Re: No love for Krull? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 09:47 · Score: 0
  
  Krull ruled. Enough said!
2. Re:No love for Krull? by CaPn+Corelian · 2015-06-25 02:22 · Score: 1
  
  Riding the Fire Mares was always (since I was a kid) one of my favourite pieces by Horner. I am truly saddened by his passing and I'll always keep celebrating his life's work. Good bye Maestro.
Re:He was ... by SeaFox · 2015-06-23 07:40 · Score: 1

That's kinda ironic considering Horner died piloting his own plane and Harrison Ford recently had that minor crash in his own plane.
Soooo..... by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 08:35 · Score: 0

Is he now decomposing?
That's two of the big ones gone by khelms · 2015-06-23 08:42 · Score: 1

I'm still in mourning over Jerry Goldsmith passing back in 2004.
Re:He was ... by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 09:42 · Score: 0

Whoosh.
He will be missed. by BitterOak · 2015-06-23 09:52 · Score: 1

My personal favorite James Horner soundtrack was that for the first Land Before Time movie. The movie itself was good, not great, but the music was absolutely amazing. The CD is well worth buying. He will be missed.

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Listened to him growing up by Art3x · 2015-06-23 10:56 · Score: 1

While my friends listened to "Smells Like Teen Spirit," I listened to the soundtrack to Glory.
1. Re:Listened to him growing up by Anonymous Coward · 2015-06-23 17:10 · Score: 0
  
  Racist.
Re: Does anyone pay attention to the music in film by bill_mcgonigle · 2015-06-23 11:02 · Score: 1

I'm sure his music was competent but it wasn't memorable. The masters can make them both. I could hum the tune of Jurassic Park, Superman, or Indiana Jones any day, but Avatar, Krull, or Wrath of Khan? No, sorry - no recall. I have a handful of movie soundtracks in my collection and Horner isn't on any of the labels. Sad news, still.

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Wait, has his death actually been confirmed? by ClickOnThis · 2015-06-23 12:17 · Score: 1

A story on CNN merely says he is feared dead, apparently because it is not known for certain that he was on the plane. (He owns it.)
The Hollywood Reporter cites Horner's assistant Sylvia Patrycja, as confirmation of his death.
Obviously this doesn't look good, but let's not say we're sure until we actually are sure.

--
If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
Sad News by DroneVideoStreams · 2015-06-27 23:00 · Score: 1

May his soul rest in peace.