Stanley Black was one of Britain's most famous bandleaders and he
composed the music for over 200 films. His albums of film themes sold
in huge quantities in the UK, America, the Far East and New Zealand.
His large concert orchestra also produced albums of symphonic suites of
the works of Irving Berlin, Richard Rogers and Cole Porter.
Born in London in 1913 Black was a child prodigy and was already
playing the piano at the age of 7. The BBC Concert Orchestra broadcast
his first composition when he was just 12.
On leaving school he worked as a pianist arranger with various dance
bands and light orchestras and by the time he was 18 he was working
with American jazz musicians such as Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins.
During World War 2 he served in the RAF as a bandleader and on being
demobbed he composed music for many BBC radio shows such as Hi Gang,
starring Bebe Daniel and Ben Lyon, Much Binding In The Marsh and The
Goon Show.
Black began composing for films in 1938 and for the next 50 years was
in constant demand. He was as happy scoring jaunty British comedies
such as The Naked Truth (57) and Too Many Crooks (59) as he was with
dramas such as The Long and The Short and The Tall (60) and Sparrows
Can't Sing (62). In 1962 he received the Ivor Novello Award for the
song Summer Holiday.
Among his most famous albums was Ethel's Riding High! with the film and
Broadway legend Ethel Merman. His many honours included an OBE and in
1995 he was made Life President of the Celebrities Guild of Great
Britain.
