-
John Williams is Born
On February 8th, 1932 in a neighbourhood called Flushing located in Queens New York, one of Americas greatest composer, director and artist was born. -
Williams Starts Piano Lessons
John Sr. father of John Williams Jr. was a celebrated percussionist. John was born into a music family and from a young age was influenced to participate in music. At age 7 John Williams started piano lessons. -
Moves to LA
John Williams family moved to Los Angeles in 1948 when he was just 16 years old. They moved because of a TV show that Johnny Sr. was apart of called Lucy Strikes "Your Hit Parade". At this time Johnny junior was already becoming a very talented jazz pianist. -
Goes To University
In 1950 after graduating John Williams went to UCLA where he studied music. How ever, in his high school years John was already composing his own music and playing in a quintet that played at legit clubs. -
Drafted
In 1951 John Williams was drafted into the United States Air Force. He was not deployed in his 4 years of service, and in that time he began conducting and arranging music for the military band. -
Returns to New York
After three years of military service and playing in military bands he returned to his hometown. He study at Juilliard school and was taught by Rosina Lhevinne in pursuit of his dream of becoming a concert pianist. At this school John Williams talent for composition began to flourish. -
Heads To LA for Job Opportunity
John Williams after studying at the school of Juilliard heads back to LA to get a job as a pianist in Hollywood film studios. -
Daddy-O
In March of the year 1958 the movie Daddy O was released. This was John Williams first ever film score that he composed and was the beginning of many more to come. -
Some Like It Hot
In Los Angeles John Williams became a movies studio musician. And in 1959 was the pianist in Some Like It Hot. -
To Kill A Mocking Bird
John Williams was also the pianist in the instantly successful film To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee in 1962. -
First Academy Award Nomination
John Williams arrangement for the film Valley of the Dolls was the first Academy Award that he was nominated for! His nomination included Best Music/Original Score. -
Wins First Academy Award
John Williams composed music for the super famous film Fiddler on the Roof in 1971, and he won his first academy award in 1972 for his work on this piece. -
Oscar Nomination
In the same year he had an Oscar nomination for Fiddler on the Roof. John Williams also composed a score for The Poseidon Adventure which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Dramatic Score. -
Beginning of a New Era
John Williams best work known by the public is his partner ship with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. John Williams first notable composition with Steven Spielberg was Jaws in 1975. He also when on to compose music for three more sequels of the original Jaws. -
Star Wars Era
In 1977, John Williams scored the first Star Wars. He would go on to score the next six. He also made a return to scoring star wars 7 and 8. The star wars films won many awards in there time. -
Becomes Conductor
In 1980, John Williams was an actively woking conductor for the Boston Pops Orchestra. He has also helped conduct the pops, the London Symphony Orchestra and many popular concerts at the Hollywood bowl. -
E.T
John Williams also conducted music for E.T that also won many academy awards, grammy awards and golden globe awards. -
Scores Home Alone
In 1990, Chris Columbus asked John Williams to score Home Alone one of the most famous Christmas movies around. -
Retirement
In 1993, John Williams retired from conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra. He conducted for 13 consecutive years. -
Jurassic Park
John Williams arranged music for one of my favourite films, Jurassic Park. However, John did not win any awards in these films. -
Schindlers List
A common theme again John Williams arranged the score for Steven Spielberg's film Schindler List. This film also won an academy award and a BAFTA award for Best Original score. -
National Medal of Arts
In 2009, Barack Obama awarded John Williams with the National Medal of Arts which is awarded to someone who is deserving of special recognition for there outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States. -
Harry Potter
John Williams Scored the first three Harry Potter movies. -
Lincoln
One of the last films that John Williams conducted in partner ship with Steven Spielberg was Lincoln and it won multiple awards. -
Career Stats
The list of blockbuster movies that John Williams has scored could continue for a very long time as well as with his awards but, when it comes to an over view Williams has had 51 academy award nominations, won five academy awards, received 4 oscars, 3 Emmy awards, and more than 20 Grammy awards. He was also a Kennedy Center Honouree. It is safe to say John Williams career is one of the most successful around.