John Williams Biography, Age, Compositions, Concert and Awards

John Williams Biography | John Williams Composer | John Williams Orchestra

John Williams born John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. With a career spanning over six decades. He has composed some of the most popular, recognizable, and critically acclaimed film scores in cinematic history, including those of the Star Wars series, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones series, the first two Home Alone films, Hook, the first two Jurassic Park films, Schindler’s List, and the first three Harry Potter films.

Williams has been associated with director Steven Spielberg since 1974, composing music for all but three of his feature films. Other works by Williams include theme music for the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, NBC Sunday Night Football, “The Mission” theme used by NBC News and Seven News in Australia, the television series Lost in Space and Land of the Giants, and the incidental music for the first season of Gilligan’s Island.

Williams has also composed numerous classical concertos and other works for orchestral ensembles and solo instruments. He served as the Boston Pops’ principal conductor from 1980 to 1993 and is currently the orchestra’s laureate conductor.

Williams has won 24 Grammy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With 51 Academy Award nominations, Williams is the second most-nominated individual, after Walt Disney. In 2005, the American Film Institute selected Williams’s score to 1977’s Star Wars as the greatest American film score of all time.

The soundtrack to Star Wars was additionally preserved by the Library of Congress into the National Recording Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. Williams was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl’s Hall of Fame in 2000 and was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2016.

Williams composed the score for eight of the top 20 highest-grossing films at the U.S. box office (adjusted for inflation).

John Williams Age

How Old Is John Williams? He was born on 8 February 1932 in Floral Park, New York, United States. As of 2018, he is 86 years old.

John Williams Photo
John Williams Photo

John Williams Music

Year

Album

Label

1957

The John Towner Touch

Kapp

1957

World on a String

Bethlehem

1957

The Johnny Williams Orchestra Plays Sounds from Screen Spectaculars

Craftsmen

1960

Checkmate (Original Music from The CBS-TV Show)

Columbia

1961

Rhythm in Motion

Columbia

1963

Diamond Head (Music From The Motion Picture)

Colpix Records

1966

How To Steal A Million (Original Motion Picture Score)

20th Century Fox Records

1966

Not With My Wife, You Don’t! (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Album)

Warner Bros. Records

1966

Penelope (Original Music From The MGM Film)

MGM Records

1967

Fitzwilly (Original Motion Picture Score)

United Artists

1967

Valley of the Dolls (Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)

20th Century Fox Records

1968

Heidi (Original Soundtrack Recording)

Capitol

1969

Goodbye, Mr. Chips (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

MGM Records

1969

The Reivers (Original Score)

Columbia

1971

Jane Eyre (Music From The Omnibus/Sagittarius Production)

Capitol

1971

Fiddler On The Roof (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Recording)

United Artists

1972

Images (The Original Sound Track Recording)

Hemdale Music/BMI

1973

Tom Sawyer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

United Artists

1973

Cinderella Liberty (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

20th Century Records

1974

Earthquake (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

MCA Records

1974

The Towering Inferno (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Warner Bros. Records

1975

The Eiger Sanction (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

MCA Records

1975

Jaws (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

MCA Records

1976

The Missouri Breaks (Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack)

United Artists

1977

Star Wars (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

20th Century Records

1977

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Arista

1978

The Fury (Original Soundtrack Recording)

Arista

1978

Jaws 2 (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

MCA Records

1978

Superman: The Movie Original Sound Track

Warner Bros. Records

1979

Dracula (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

MCA Records

1979

1941 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Arista

1980

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (The Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture)

RSO

1980

Boston Pops: Pops in Space

Philips

1980

Boston Pops: Pops on the March

Philips

1981

Raiders Of The Lost Ark (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Columbia

1981

Boston Pops: That’s Entertainment

Philips

1981

Boston Pops: We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Philips

1982

Boston Pops: Pops Around The World – Digital Overtures

Philips

1982

Boston Pops: Aisle Seat – Great Film Music

Philips

1982

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

MCA Records

1982

Monsignor (From The 20th Century Film)

Casablanca

1983

Boston Pops: Out of this World

Philips

1983

Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

RSO

1984

Boston Pops: On Stage

Philips

1984

Boston Pops: Peter and the Wolf/Nutcracker Suite

Philips

1984

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Polydor

1984

The River (Original Soundtrack Recording)

MCA Records

1985

Boston Pops: Swing, Swing, Swing

Philips

1985

Boston Pops: America, The Dream Goes On

Philips

1986

Boston Pops: Bernstein by Boston

Philips

1986

SpaceCamp (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

RCA Victor

1987

Boston Pops: Pops in Love

Philips

1987

Boston Pops: Holst – The Planets

Philips

1987

The Witches Of Eastwick (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Warner Bros. Records

1987

Empire Of The Sun (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Warner Bros. Records

John Williams Compositions

His compositions include:

  1. The Imperial March
  2. Duel of the Fates
  3. Main Title
  4. Hedwig’s Theme
  5. Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band
  6. Battle of the Heroes
  7. Finale
  8. Summon the Heroes
  9. Midway March
  10. Binary Sunset
  11. Air and Simple Gifts
  12. Ewok Celebration
  13. A New Hope / End Credits
  14. Flight to Neverland
  15. Adventures on Earth
  16. Throne Room / Finale
  17. Call of the Champions
  18. E.T.: The Flying Theme
  19. The Force Theme
  20. Liberty Fanfare
  21. The Five Sacred Trees
  22. Viktor’s Tale
  23. Hymn to the Fallen
  24. Harry’s Wondrous World
  25. TIE Fighter Attack
  26. Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
  27. Can You Read My Mind
  28. Light of the Force
  29. Victory Celebration
  30. Sail Barge Assault
  31. Olympic Fanfare and Theme
  32. The Flag Parade
  33. The Raiders March
  34. Look Down, Lord
  35. Hymn to New England
  36. Somewhere in My Memory
  37. Dance of the Witches
  38. Across the Stars
  39. Approaching the Death Star
  40. The Throne Room
  41. When You’re Alone
  42. The Face of Pan
  43. Princess Leia’s Theme
  44. Sayuri’s Theme
  45. Aboard the Executor
  46. Dry Your Tears, Afrika
  47. Ben Kenobi’s Death
  48. Exsultate Justi
  49. Concerto for violin n° 1 by John Williams
  50. Scherzo for Today
  51. Mischief Managed!

John Williams Star Wars

John Williams Concert

Saturday 9 February 2019 14:00
Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra: The Music of John Williams
Kravis Center (Dreyfoos Hall), West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Saturday 9 February 2019 20:00
Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra: The Music of John Williams
Kravis Center (Dreyfoos Hall), West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Saturday 9 February 2019 20:00
Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Leanard Slatkin- A John Williams Celebration
Orchestra Hall, Detroit, USA
Sunday 10 February 2019 15:00
Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Leanard Slatkin- A John Williams Celebration
Orchestra Hall, Detroit, USA
Saturday 16 March 2019 19:30
John- Williams- Film Symphony Orchestra
Auditorio Cartagena El Batel, Cartagena, Spain
Thursday 21 March 2019
The Boston Pops On Tour- The Music of John Williams
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, Woodlands, Texas, USA
Friday 22 March 2019
John Williams- Film Symphony Orchestra
FIBES- Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos- Auditorio, Seville, Spain
Sunday 24 March 2019
John Williams- Film Symphony Orchestra
MAC- Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Malaga, Malaga, Spain
Sunday 24 March 2019
Boston Pops: Keith Lockhart- John Williams’ Music
Long Center for the Performing Arts, Austin, Texas, USA
Sunday 24 March 2019
Boston Pops: Keith Lockhart- John Williams’ Music
Long Center For The Performing Arts- Dell Hall, Austin, USA
Friday 26 April 2019
John Williams- Film Symphony Orchestra
Auditorio Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain
Saturday 27 April 2019
The Florida Orchestra: Daniel Black- The Music of John Williams
Mahaffey Theater, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
Saturday 27 April 2019
The Florida Orchestra: Daniel Black- The Music of John Williams
Mahaffey Theater, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA

John Williams Scores

They include:

  • Hook (1991)
  • Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
  • Valley of the Dolls (1967)
  • Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
  • Tom Sawyer (1973)
  • SCORE: A Film Music Documentary (2016)

John Williams Prologue

John Williams Jaws

The original soundtrack for Jaws was released on LP by MCA in 1975, and as a CD in 1992, including roughly a half-hour of music that John Williams redid for the album.

Release date: 21 April 1992
Movie: Jaws
Awards: Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media

John Williams Net Worth

He has an estimated net worth of $100 million

John Williams Awards | John Williams Oscars

Year

Project

Category

Result

1967

Valley of the Dolls

Best Score Adaptation

Nominated

1969

Goodbye, Mr Chips

Best Score Adaptation

Nominated

The Reivers

Best Original Score

Nominated

1971

Fiddler on the Roof

Best Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score

Won

1972

Images

Best Original Dramatic Score

Nominated

The Poseidon Adventure

Best Original Dramatic Score

Nominated

1973

Cinderella Liberty

Best Original Dramatic Score

Nominated

“Nice to Be Around” (from Cinderella Liberty)

Best Original Song

Nominated

Tom Sawyer

Best Score Adaptation

Nominated

1974

The Towering Inferno

Original Score

Nominated

1975

Jaws

Best Original Dramatic Score

Won

1977

Star Wars

Original Score

Won

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Original Score

Nominated

1978

Superman

Original Score

Nominated

1980

The Empire Strikes Back

Original Score

Nominated

1981

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Original Score

Nominated

1982

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Original Score

Won

“If We Were in Love” (from Yes, Giorgio)

Best Original Song

Nominated

1983

Return of the Jedi

Original Score

Nominated

1984

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Original Score

Nominated

The River

Original Score

Nominated

1987

Empire of the Sun

Original Score

Nominated

The Witches of Eastwick

Original Score

Nominated

1988

The Accidental Tourist

Original Score

Nominated

1989

Born on the Fourth of July

Original Score

Nominated

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Original Score

Nominated

1990

Home Alone

Original Score

Nominated

“Somewhere in My Memory” (from Home Alone)

Best Original Song

Nominated

1991

JFK

Original Score

Nominated

“When You’re Alone” (from Hook)

Best Original Song

Nominated

1993

Schindler’s List

Original Score

Won

1995

Nixon

Best Original Dramatic Score

Nominated

Sabrina

Best Original Musical or Comedy Score

Nominated

“Moonlight” (from Sabrina)

Best Original Song

Nominated

1996

Sleepers

Best Original Dramatic Score

Nominated

1997

Amistad

Best Original Dramatic Score

Nominated

1998

Saving Private Ryan

Best Original Dramatic Score

Nominated

1999

Angela’s Ashes

Original Score

Nominated

2000

The Patriot

Original Score

Nominated

2001

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Original Score

Nominated

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Original Score

Nominated

2002

Catch Me If You Can

Original Score

Nominated

2004

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Original Score

Nominated

2005

Memoirs of a Geisha

Original Score

Nominated

Munich

Original Score

Nominated

2011

The Adventures of Tintin

Original Score

Nominated

War Horse

Original Score

Nominated

2012

Lincoln

Original Score

Nominated

2013

The Book Thief

Original Score

Nominated

2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Original Score

Nominated

2017

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Original Score

Nominated

BAFTA Awards

Year

Project

Category

Result

1975

Jaws

Best Film Music

Won

1978

Star Wars

Best Film Music

Won

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Best Film Music

Nominated

1980

The Empire Strikes Back

Best Film Music

Won

1981

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Best Film Music

Nominated

1982

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Best Film Music

Won

1988

Empire of the Sun

Best Film Music

Won

1993

Schindler’s List

Best Film Music

Won

1998

Saving Private Ryan

Best Film Music

Nominated

2002

Catch Me If You Can

Best Film Music

Nominated

2005

Memoirs of a Geisha

Best Film Music

Won

2011

War Horse

Best Film Music

Nominated

2012

Lincoln

Best Film Music

Nominated

2013

The Book Thief

Best Film Music

Nominated

2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Best Film Music

Nominated

Emmy Awards

Year

Project

Category

Result

1962

Alcoa Premiere

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composed for Television

Nominated

1963

Alcoa Premiere

Outstanding Achievement in Composing Original Music

Nominated

1968

Heidi

Outstanding Achievement in Musical Composition

Won

1971

Jane Eyre

Outstanding Achievement in Musical Composition

Won

2002

74th Academy Awards

Outstanding Music Direction

Nominated

2009

Great Performances

Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

Won

Golden Globe Awards

Year

Project

Category

Result

1972

The Poseidon Adventure

Best Original Score

Nominated

1973

Cinderella Liberty

Best Original Score

Nominated

Tom Sawyer (with Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman)

Best Original Score

Nominated

1974

Earthquake

Best Original Score

Nominated

1975

Jaws

Best Original Score

Won

1977

Star Wars

Best Original Score

Won

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Best Original Score

Nominated

1978

Superman

Best Original Score

Nominated

1980

The Empire Strikes Back

Best Original Score

Nominated

1982

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Best Original Score

Won

“If We Were In Love” (with Alan and Marilyn Bergman) from Yes, Giorgio

Best Original Song

Nominated

1984

The River

Best Original Score

Nominated

1987

Empire of the Sun

Best Original Score

Nominated

1988

The Accidental Tourist

Best Original Score

Nominated

1989

Born on the Fourth of July

Best Original Score

Nominated

1993

Schindler’s List

Best Original Score

Nominated

1995

“Moonlight” (with Alan and Marilyn Bergman) from Sabrina

Best Original Song

Nominated

1997

Seven Years in Tibet

Best Original Score

Nominated

1998

Saving Private Ryan

Best Original Score

Nominated

1999

Angela’s Ashes

Best Original Score

Nominated

2001

A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Best Original Score

Nominated

2005

Memoirs of a Geisha

Best Original Score

Won

2011

War Horse

Best Original Score

Nominated

2012

Lincoln

Best Original Score

Nominated

2013

The Book Thief

Best Original Score

Nominated

2017

The Post

Best Original Score

Nominated

Grammy Awards

YearProjectCategoryResult
1962CheckmateBest Soundtrack Album or Recording or Score from Motion Picture or TelevisionNominated
1975JawsAlbum of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television SpecialWon
1978“Main Title” from Star WarsBest Instrumental CompositionWon
Star WarsBest Pop Instrumental RecordingWon
Best Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television SpecialWon
Album of the YearNominated
1979“Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind”Best Instrumental CompositionWon
Close Encounters of the Third KindBest Album of Original Score Written for a Motion PictureWon
1980“Main Title Theme from Superman”Best Instrumental CompositionWon
Best Pop Instrumental PerformanceNominated
SupermanBest Album of Original Score Written for a Motion PictureWon
1981“Yoda’s Theme”Best Pop Instrumental PerformanceNominated
Best Instrumental CompositionNominated
“The Empire Strikes Back”Won
“Imperial March” (Darth Vader’s Theme)Nominated
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes BackBest Album of Original Score Written for a Motion PictureWon
1982Raiders of the Lost ArkBest Album of Original Score Written for a Motion PictureWon
1983“Adventures on Earth”Best Instrumental CompositionNominated
“Flying” (Theme from E.T.)Won
Best Arrangement on an Instrumental RecordingWon
E.T. the Extra-TerrestrialBest Pop Instrument PerformanceNominated
Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion PictureWon
1984Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the JediBest Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1985Olympic Fanfare and ThemeBest Instrumental CompositionWon
1986Prokofiev: Peter and the WolfBest Recording for ChildrenNominated
1988The Witches of EastwickBest Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1989“Olympic Spirit”Best Instrumental CompositionNominated
Empire of the SunBest Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1990Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeBest Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1991Born on the Fourth of JulyBest Arrangement on an Instrumental RecordingNominated
1992The Star Wars TrilogyBest Pop Instrumental PerformanceNominated
“Home Alone Main Title”Best Arrangement on an InstrumentalNominated
“Somewhere in My Memory” (with Leslie Bricusse) from Home AloneBest Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1993HookBest Pop Instrumental PerformanceNominated
Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1994Jurassic ParkBest Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1995Schindler’s ListInstrumental Composition for a Motion Picture or TelevisionWon
1997“Moonlight” (with Alan and Marilyn Bergman) from SabrinaBest Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
1998Seven Years in TibetBest Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionNominated
The Lost World: Jurassic ParkNominated
1999Saving Private RyanBest Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for TelevisionWon
AmistadNominated
Gershwin FantasyBest Classical Crossover AlbumNominated
2000Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom MenaceBest Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
“Stella by Starlight” (from The Uninvited) from: Cinema Serenade 2: The Golden AgeBest Instrumental ArrangementNominated
2001“Theme” from Angela’s AshesBest Instrumental CompositionWon
2002Artificial Intelligence: A.I.Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
2003“Hedwig’s Theme”Best Instrumental CompositionNominated
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneBest Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
2004Catch Me If You CanBest Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsNominated
2005Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanBest Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
2006Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the SithBest Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
2007Memoirs of a GeishaBest Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaWon
MunichNominated
“A Prayer For Peace” (Theme from Munich)Best Instrumental CompositionWon
“Sayuri’s Theme and End Credits” (Theme from Memoirs of a Geisha)Nominated
2009Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullBest Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
“The Adventures of Mutt” from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullBest Instrumental CompositionWon
2012The Adventures of TintinBest Score Soundtrack For Visual MediaNominated
2013LincolnBest Score Soundtrack for Visual MediaNominated
2014“The Book Thief” from The Book ThiefBest Instrumental CompositionWon
2016Star Wars: The Force AwakensBest Score Soundtrack for Visual MediaWon
2017“Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra” from Catch Me If You CanBest Arrangement, Instrumental or A CappellaWon
2018Star Wars: The Last JediBest Score Soundtrack for Visual MediaPending
“Mine Mission” from Solo: A Star Wars StoryBest Instrumental CompositionPending

John Williams Harry Potter

The music of the Harry Potter film series was recorded and released in conjunction with the post-production and releases of each of the eight corresponding films. The scores were composed by John Williams, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Hooper, and Alexandre Desplat.

Musicians credited with writing source music include Jarvis Cocker, The Ordinary Boys, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Jeremy Soule and James Hannigan wrote the music for the Harry Potter video games.

John Williams Opening Titles

John Williams Cd

Visit www.amazon.com to get his latest and older CD’s

John Williams Album | John Williams Music List

  1. The Patriot
  2. A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
  3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
  4. Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
  5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  6. Catch Me If You Can
  7. Memoirs of a Geisha
  8. War of the Worlds
  9. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
  10. The Adventures of Tintin
  11. War Horse
  12. Lincoln
  13. The Book Thief
  14. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  15. The BFG
  16. Dear Basketball
  17. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
  18. The Post
  19. Solo: A Star Wars Story
  20. Star Wars: Episode IX
  21. Indiana Jones 5

John Williams Facebook

John Williams Instagram

This information will soon be updated.

John Williams Twitter

This information will soon be updated.

John Williams News

The John Williams Show Full Podcast 02.06.19: State of the Union 2019, Dining Awards, the black face debate

John Williams reviews the State of the Union, and listeners chime in with their comments. Plus, he tells you what his highlight was from President Trump’s speech. Then, Chicago Tribune Restaurant Critic Phil Vettel elaborates on his picks for the Dining Awards of 2018, and points you to something he deemed exceptional in his Tribune piece itself.

John goes on to revisit Virginia politics, after the state’s attorney general, Mark Herring, shared that he once dressed in black face. Listeners give their opinions on that, along with stories of their elders, inspired by today’s John Williams NewsClick. Finally, Mary Schmich has a touching story on one hospital’s approach to a man with autism.

Adopted from: wgnradio.com