Leslie Bricusse

Leslie Bricusse wrote some of the most memorable Broadway and movie themes of the second half of the 20th century. Both a composer and lyricist, the Londoner penned lyrics for Henry Mancini, John Williams, John Barry, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, but most frequently partnered with Anthony Newley. Together, they wrote the Tony-nominated musicals Stop the World -- I Want to Get Off (1961) and The Roar of the Greasepaint -- The Smell of the Crowd (1965) as well as the Academy Award-nominated music for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and lyrics for the Bond theme "Goldfinger." A nine-time Oscar nominee, Bricusse won two, for "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Doolittle (1967) and for the Mancini collaboration Victor/Victoria (1982). His later work included "Christmas at Hogwarts" from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001). Bricusse's memoir Pure Imagination: A Sorta-Biography was published in 2015.