Hidden Man: My Many Musical Lives

John Altman is a prolific composer, conductor, and arranger who has composed music for over 50 movies and won most major film awards. He has also worked on hit records for numerous stars and has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians. Despite his anonymity, his themes are universally known, and Monty Python's Terry Gilliam named him the "Hidden Man." This entertaining, fast-paced memoir reveals how he mentored young Amy Winehouse, sang over a mobile phone to James Cameron and the cast of Titanic, and inspired George Michael to become a musician.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd

Everybody knows John Altman's music, but not so many people know his name. Yet he is one of the most prolific composers, conductors, and arrangers in history, and his saxophone playing has been heard live and on record with many great names. In this vivid account of over fifty years in the world of popular music, Altman explains why he is the "Hidden Man," whose scores include such well-known film sequences as "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Life of Brian, which he arranged, conducted, and whistled; the tank chase through St. Petersburg in the James Bond movie Goldeneye, and the ship sinking in Titanic, with the orchestra playing on deck. In all, he has composed the music for over 50 movies, and won most major film awards in his long and distinguished career. His orchestrations can be heard in film scores by legends like Elmer Bernstein and Jule Styne, and he was musical director for several television series, notably Miss Marple, starring Joan Hickson, as well as Peak Practice. As an arranger/conductor, he has worked on hit records for numerous stars, among them Rod Stewart, George Michael, Tina Turner, Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork, and Alison Moyet. As a saxophonist, flautist, and clarinet player, he has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians. John Altman has also found time to write, produce, and arrange over 4,000 commercials worldwide, including his theme for the "Sheila's Wheels" advertisement. Such anonymity coupled with universally-known themes is why Monty Python's Terry Gilliam named Altman the "Hidden Man." In this entertaining, fast-paced memoir, you will discover how Ingrid Bergman smiled at his back; how a Beatle always greeted him by singing one of his musical phrases; how he tried in vain to persuade Nick Drake to continue performing in public; and how he became the "go-to guy" for Hollywood directors looking for a unique musical sound. You will also learn about his struggles with alcoholism and his eventual recovery, as well as his close relationship with his wife, actress Julie Andrews.

In this vivid account of over fifty years in the world of popular music, Altman explains why he is the "Hidden Man," whose scores include such well-known film sequences as "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Life of Brian, which he arranged, conducted, and whistled; the tank chase through St. Petersburg in the James Bond movie Goldeneye, and the ship sinking in Titanic, with the orchestra playing on deck. In all, he has composed the music for over 50 movies, and won most major film awards in his long and distinguished career. His orchestrations can be heard in film scores by legends like Elmer Bernstein and Jule Styne, and he was musical director for several television series, notably Miss Marple, starring Joan Hickson, as well as Peak Practice. As an arranger/conductor, he has worked on hit records for numerous stars, among them Rod Stewart, George Michael, Tina Turner, Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork, and Alison Moyet. As a saxophonist, flautist, and clarinet player, he has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians.

As an arranger/conductor, he has worked on hit records for numerous stars, among them Rod Stewart, George Michael, Tina Turner, Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork, and Alison Moyet. As a saxophonist, flautist, and clarinet player, he has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians.

As an arranger/conductor, he has worked on hit records for numerous stars, among them Rod Stewart, George Michael, Tina Turner, Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork, and Alison Moyet. As a saxophonist, flautist, and clarinet player, he has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians.

As an arranger/conductor, he has worked on hit records for numerous stars, among them Rod Stewart, George Michael, Tina Turner, Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork, and Alison Moyet. As a saxophonist, flautist, and clarinet player, he has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians.

Weight: 3397g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800501546