In brief
''Don Black'' is a British lyricist and songwriter known for his Academy Award-winning work on the theme song "Born Free" and his contributions to James Bond film themes and acclaimed musical theatre productions.
Born Donald Blackstone on 21 June 1938 in London, England, to Jewish immigrant parents from Russia, Don Black began his career in entertainment before establishing himself as one of Britain's most successful lyricists. He first gained international recognition with the lyrics for "Born Free" in 1966, which earned him the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1967, marking him as the first British songwriter to win the award in that category. His collaborations include iconic James Bond title songs such as "Diamonds Are Forever" and "The Man with the Golden Gun," as well as long-running partnerships with composers like Andrew Lloyd Webber on musicals including Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love, and Bombay Dreams.
Don Black was born Donald Blackstone on 21 June 1938 in London, England, to Jewish immigrant parents from Russia. He began his career in journalism, working for music publications including the New Musical Express, where he started as an office boy before moving into other roles at the paper.
Photographs
Hero photograph: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
