Exhibit: The James Bond Theme: Music to Live, Die, and Love Another Day

April 12, 2013–March 14, 2014

Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Special Hours on April 13 • 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30-12:00 and 1:00-5:00

Wednesday 10:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00

1103 South Sixth Street, Champaign, IL

Many film scholars have suggested that John Barry's early Bond orchestrations established an entirely new music genre to portray the excitement and intrigue associated with the spy thrillers of the 1960s. However, the syncopated guitar riff that begins the "James Bond" music theme that was first introduced in 1962 for Dr. No, and the rich orchestral cadence of the infamous "007" tune that was launched in From Russia with Love in 1963 have remained the two quintessential melodies associated with all of the Bond movie sequels that followed from 1964 through 2012. Such prominent composers and performers as Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Marvin Hamlisch, Monty Norman, Duran Duran, Carly Simon, Nancy Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass have followed in Barry's artistic footsteps, but none have surpassed his influence on the musical portrayal of Britain's most recognized super spy. This exhibit explores the historical and musical roots of these two distinct movie themes and illustrates through music, photographs, graphic art, and oral history interviews their lasting impact on the Bond movie legacy.