The best part of The Force Awakens, if I had to pick just one, is probably the fakeout when Kylo Ren is chasing Rey and Finn through the snowy forest, and the lightsaber he reaches for zooms past his face and into Rey’s outstretched hand. I went to see that movie three times in theaters, and every time that moment happened, people cheered. It’s made even cooler by the addition of John Williams’ “Force Theme,” also known as “Binary Sunset” from the original Star Wars. It was adopted somewhat as Luke’s personal theme, but generally signals the Light Side of the Force.
Look, I’m a pretty simple guy. I don’t ask for a lot out of life. Life doesn’t ask for a lot out of me. But I do have one very small goal, and that’s to eventually do something well enough that a bunch of colleges around the United States decide to praise me with honorary doctorate degrees. A pretty modest aim, right? One pithy news article about Star Wars rumors, and suddenly, the University of Southern California and UCLA are competing to see who can give me the most pieces of paper with my name on it. In the immortal words of Cannibal! The Musical, that’s all I’m asking for.
John Williams, probably the most recognizable name of modern Hollywood film scores, has given us the iconic soundtracks to little indie pictures such as Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Indiana Jones, E.T., and, of course, Star Wars. The music is at once timeless and nostalgic, allowing us all to sink cozily back into the days when Amblin ruled our childhoods as we listen through each score over and over. All of us, that is, except John Williams.
13-year-old trumpeter Bryce Hayashi got a nice surprise when he and flugelhorn player Michael Miller played an impromptu tribute to John Williams’ Star Wars theme on the lawn of the master composer’s house: Williams himself was home and came out to shake their hands and salute them on their fine playing.
Not that Lucasfilm would get anyone else to score new Star Wars and Indiana Jones sequels as long as John Williams is still around, but just in case there was any doubt, Steven Spielberg has officially confirmed the legendary composer’s return for both franchises. The director’s announcement appropriately took place during last night’s AFI tribute to Williams, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to cinema.
It's hard to imagine 'Jurassic Park' without John Williams' iconic score, and thanks to the brilliant minds over at Mondo, you'll have a chance to own that score once again when the boutique re-releases it -- on vinyl! -- in June. Hold onto your butts because this is one seriously awesome collector's item.
Can you possibly have a 'Star Wars' film without John Williams' joyous music accompanying the action? Seems hard to even consider. And if you ask Williams himself, he appears to think the same thing. Read Williams' thoughts on his role in the 'Star Wars' universe going forward after the break.
Plenty of stuff to do this weekend...
Griffins home tonight... GO!
Pond Hockey Tourney with our sister station WGRD...GO!
Glenn Bulthuis & The Tonedeafs: The Music of the Beatles...Saturday Night in Byron Center...GO!
Salute to John Williams with the GR Symphony...