Bill Conti
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
While Bill Conti may forever be associated with the rousing, infectious music he composed for the series of "Rocky" films, he has also proved the scores for countless TV programs and films. As a child in Rhode Island, he learned to play the piano from his father. By the time the family relocated to Miami, Conti was the front man for his own jazz band. After receiving degrees in music from Louisiana State and Juilliard, he moved to Italy to study opera composition. During his stay in Rome, he began to provide music for films such as "Candidate per un Assassino/Candidate for a Killing." At the 1971 Venice Film Festival, Conti met director Paul Mazursky who hired the musician to supervise the score of "Blume in Love" (1973). The two collaborated further on "Harry and Tonto" (1974) and "Next Stop, Greenwich Village" (1975). But it was his music for the Oscar-winning sleeper hit "Rocky" (1976), especially the Academy Award-nominated theme "Gonna Fly Now," that established Conti as an in-demand composer. He went on to score several films directed and/or starring Sylvester Stallone (including the "Rocky" sequels) as well as several for "Rocky" director John G Avildsen (most notably "The Karate Kid" films).
A prolific composer, Conti has remained at the top of form since the late 70s. He provided memorable theme music for a number of TV series and newsmagazines, ranging from "Dynasty" and "Falcon Crest" to "Primetime Live." For the haunting theme to the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only" (1981), he shared in a second Best Original Song Oscar nomination and finally captured a statue for his inspirational score to "The Right Stuff" (1983). Among his numerous credits are the score to James L Brooks' Oscar-nominated "Broadcast News" (1987), "8 Seconds" (1994) and "The Devil's Own" (1997). Since 1977, Conti has served a record 12 times as musical director of the annual Academy Awards telecast.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Music (TV Mini-Series)
Misc. Crew (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1950
Taught to play piano by his father (date approximate)
1967
Moved to Rome, Italy to study opera composition scored first film, "Candidate for a Killing"
1971
Met Paul Mazursky at the Venice Film Festival
1973
Acted as music supervisor, "Blume In Love", directed by Mazursky
1974
Wrote the score for Mazursky's "Harry and Tonto"
1976
Composed the theme to the TV series "Executive Suite" (CBS)
1976
Scored the hit film "Rocky", directed by John G Avildsen; earned an Academy Award nomination for the theme song "Gonna Fly Now"
1977
Initial participation as musical director at the annual telecast of the Academy Awards
1978
Wrote the underscore for Mazursky's "An Unmarried Woman"
1978
Appeared onscreen as a rehearsal pianist in the film "Slow Dancing in the Big City"; also composed the score
1978
Scored Sylvester Stallone's directorial debut, "Paradise Alley"
1979
Reteamed with Stallone to provide the music for "Rocky II"
1981
Received second Best Original Song Academy Award nomination for the theme to the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only"
1981
Wrote the theme music for the hit ABC series "Dynasty"
1981
Provided the theme music for the CBS primetime soap "Falcon Crest"
1982
Wrote theme and composed musical score for "Rocky III"
1983
Won Oscar for scoring "The Right Stuff"
1984
Contributed music to ABC presentation of the Olympics
1984
Reteamed with John G Avildsen to provide the music for "The Karate Kid"; also scored its three sequels
1985
Scored the ABC miniseries "North and South"
1986
Provided the music for the miniseries sequel "North and South: Book II" (ABC)
1987
Scored James L Brooks' Oscar-nominated "Broadcast News"
1988
Again contributed music to ABC's presentation of the Olympics
1989
Wrote the theme to the ABC newsmagazine "Primetime Live"
1990
Served as musical director for the annual telecasts of the Academy Awards
1991
Became principal Pops conductor of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra
1994
Composed the underscore for the ABC miniseries "John Jakes' Heaven and Hell: North and South, Part III"
1994
Wrote the theme to the ABC newsmagazine "Turning Point"
1997
Scored Alan J Pakula's "The Devil's Own"
1998
Returned for a record 12th time as musical director of the Academy Awards telecast
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
Family
Companions
