Award winning composer James Horner, who was 61 years old, passed away tragically in a plane crash on Monday.
The wreckage from Horner’s single-engine plane was found in Southern California; sadly, the victim’s body was burned beyond recognition. This accident also started a brush fire that spread over one-acre.
Horner was “an experienced pilot,” said Jay Cooper. He owned five aircraft’s, two of which were helicopters.
His personal assistant, Sylvia Patrycja, confirmed the composer’s death in a Facebook post:
“We have lost an amazing person with a huge heart, and unbelievable talent. He died doing what he loved. Thank you for all your support and love and see you down the road.”
James had a very long and successful career in the music industry. It all started when he attended the Royal College of Music in London, later returning to L.A. to get his bachelor’s degree in music at USC, followed by more post-graduate work at UCLA.
His first big hit was the score for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, in 1982. Other big hits were The Rocketeer, An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, Patriot Games, Legends of the Fall, Braveheart, Apollo 13 and Jumanji.
Throughout his career he worked with some of the biggest directors in film; James Cameron, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
No one can forget his most known work; the song My Heart Will Go On which was an enormous success in 1997’s Titanic. His work for Titanic earned him two Oscars; Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song.
Throughout his life, Horner was honored with eight Academy Award nominations. Some of these included the scores for Aliens, Field of Dreams, Apollo 13, Braveheart, A Beautiful Mind, House of Sand and Fog, and Avatar.
Horner stated in a 2009 interview with the Los Angeles Times,
“My job is to make sure at every turn of the film it’s something the audience can feel with their heart. When we lose a character, when somebody wins, when somebody loses, when someone disappears — at all times I’m keeping track, constantly, of what the heart is supposed to be feeling. That is my primary role.”
This talent will be missed greatly by all. Thank you for gracing us with your beautiful music, James.
