Godzilla Film Score Composer Akira Ifukube Dies

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]BBC: Japanese Godzilla composer dies
Japanese musician Akira Ifukube, who composed the music to the Godzilla films, has died at the age of 91. He wrote the theme to the original 1954 Godzilla movie, known in Japan in Gojira, which was used in a number of films about the sci-fi creature. He received a Person of Cultural Merit award in 2003, considered one of Japan's highest honours...As well as being behind the Godzilla score, Ifukube also produced more than 300 musical pieces during his career...He worked as a forestry officer during World War II, and wrote classical music as a sideline...more...

[Greji]

[floatl][/floatl]BBC: Japanese Godzilla composer dies

A great artist and a loss to the entire music world. R.I.P.


BTW, if you want to anger a J-person, which as I'm sure you all know is difficult to do, tell them that Godzilla was based on a B-grade US film made a year or two earlier. They cannot accept that because Godzilla has become not only their idea of a symbol of Japan, but also, an icon of sorts, identifiable with their own self worth!

[Taro Toporific]

BTW, if you want to anger a J-person, which as I'm sure you all know is difficult to do, tell them that Godzilla was based on a B-grade US film made a year or two earlier.

At GomiGirl's place, Captain Japan asked me to arrange an interview with the composer Akira Ifukube. My wife took a master's class with him at NHK's Ongaku School and Ifukube-sensei was by far the most entertaining of all the guest instructors. He was a real woot and I so glad to say I had a couple cups of sake with him after class.


(PS: What's the name of that "B-grade US film made a year or two earlier" than Godzilla?)

[Greji]

[Captain Japan]

At GomiGirl's place, Captain Japan asked me to arrange an interview with the composer Akira Ifukube. My wife took a master's class with him at NHK's Ongaku School and Ifukube-sensei was by far the most entertaining of all the guest instructors. He was a real woot and I so glad to say I had a couple cups of sake with him after class.


(PS: What's the name of that "B-grade US film made a year or two earlier" than Godzilla?)

His list of credits is here: IMDB
When we talked you wondered if he was still alive. And now we know.

[Captain Japan]

[dimwit]

Damn! I had never heard of that movie until now but I am not sure my wife will be happy to know that there are some B-monster movies I've missed. I have seen The Monster from the Ocean Floor which is a classic Roger Cormen movie but that stars an octupus. Gorgo is another Godzilla like monster but that postdates godzilla by 8 years.

[Hokgwai]

Godzilla may not be the first but certainly he's the most iconic and unforgettable.

[Greji]

Godzilla may not be the first but certainly he's the most iconic and unforgettable.

J-marketing! No kid born during that period grew up without having at least one plastic or rubber Godzilla to play with!

[Pencilslave]

Rest in Peace Ifukube -Sensei. You gave dynamic life to my favorite childhood hero and for that I'm eternally gratefull.

[mr. sparkle]

My buddy has his email hooked up so everytime he gets one he gets the twins singing, "Mooo THU Raaaaaa". What a hoot.

[djgizmoe]

I think I've got two of Ifukube-san's non-Godzilla related CDs somewhere (both excellent), and he's hands down my favorite Japanese composer. Here's a decent list of his works if anyone's interested. http://www.godzillamonstermusic.com/Ifukube-Index.htm

[Greji]

At GomiGirl's place, Captain Japan asked me to arrange an interview with the composer Akira Ifukube. My wife took a master's class with him at NHK's Ongaku School and Ifukube-sensei was by far the most entertaining of all the guest instructors. He was a real woot and I so glad to say I had a couple cups of sake with him after class.


(PS: What's the name of that "B-grade US film made a year or two earlier" than Godzilla?)

Here's another article on the influence of the "Beast" in producing Godzilla!