16 Facts About Stanley Black

Stanley Black OBE was an English bandleader, composer, conductor, arranger and pianist.

Stanley Black wrote and arranged many film scores, recording prolifically for the Decca label.

Stanley Black began piano lessons at the age of seven and trained in piano and composition under Rae Robertson at the Matthay School of Music.

Stanley Black was aged only 12 when his first classical composition was broadcast on BBC Radio.

Stanley Black had broadcast and recorded with several American musicians, including jazz saxophonists Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter during their stays in England during this decade.

Stanley Black conducted the BBC Dance Orchestra for the popular comedy show Ray's a Laugh, starring Ted Ray.

Stanley Black was chosen to be included on Decca's first release of long-playing records in the UK in June 1950.

Stanley Black was particularly popular in United States, as evidenced by his inclusion in the Billboard best-sellers lists.

Stanley Black was appointed music director at Elstree Studios in 1958.

Stanley Black was principal conductor of the studio orchestra of Associated British Picture Corporation and their musical director composer from 1958 to 1963.

Stanley Black was made a life fellow of the International Institute of Arts and Letters, and life president of the Celebrities Guild of Great Britain.

In 2003, Decca released a two-CD set, A Tribute to Stanley Black, including recordings from 1951 to 1979.

Stanley Black died in London, aged 89, on 27 November 2002.

Stanley Black is remembered for writing numerous scores for radio, television and cinema, including the theme-tune for The Goon Show.

Stanley Black's work became familiar to millions of cinema audiences as a consequence of his theme tune and music library for Pathe News, written in 1960.

Stanley Black recorded many classical works, including collections of Tchaikovsky and George Gershwin.