It’s a bit sad to attach next to the name of a deceased artist that of another. But we have to recognize that Angelo Badalamenti will forever be associated with that of his “best friend, almost a brother“, as he described him in 2001 in the columns of Liberation, namely David Lynch. Badalamenti, genius composer, who worked on a large part of the filmography of the filmmaker quoted above, passed away on December 12. He was 85 years old and had a most exemplary discography. From Nina Simone to the Grammy Awards Born in Brooklyn in 1937, he quickly attacked music and after obtaining diplomas in it, went to work with some of the greatest, from Nina Simone to Shirley Bassey. It was when he arrived almost by chance on the film set of Blue Velvet (where he was initially only supposed to help Isabella Rosselini on a title, “Mysteries of Love”), that he became closer to the filmmaker who will allow him to grow, to explore, and to have the recognition he has today. See also on Konbini Because the two companions did not let go, Badalamenti worked on the music of Sailor and Lula, from Twin Peaks ( probably his most beautiful composition), the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, the original titles of Lost Highway, or even Mulholland Drive (his other great stroke of genius) — purists will mention, of course, the Barilla commercial directed by Always Lynch, with Depardieu.Nevertheless, his career should not be summed up at Lynch. Indeed, he has also worked on two films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro (The City of Lost Children, A Long Engagement Sunday), Danny Boyle (The Beach), Jane Campion (Holy Smoke), Paul Schrader (Strange Seduction, Eternal Lovers, Auto Focus, Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist), or even certain more or less cult films, from Le sapin a les boules to the third Freddy, Les Griffes du nuit (which fans know as being the best of the saga, of course). We could also talk about the theme of the opening ceremony of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, or his work with other artists, from David Bowie to Paul McCartney, passing through the Pet Shop Boys or even LL Cool J. This last was discreet and was seen very little in the media. But if you had to remember only one video, then it will be this one. The one we’ve been watching on a loop for years, and which already brought tears to our eyes (without lying): Angelo Badalamenti, in front of his piano, who tells how David Lynch directed him on the live conception of the theme of Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks — namely Badalamenti’s huge stroke of genius. We’ll never get tired of it. So rest in peace, Angelo Badalamenti.
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