Oscar-winning Caian Leslie Bricusse (1931-2021)

  • 20 October 2021
  • 4 minutes

Leslie Bricusse (MML 1951), the Oscar and Grammy-winning writer-composer-lyricist of many hits of stage and screen during a long and distinguished career, has died. He was 90.

His son, Adam, announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday, and actress Dame Joan Collins was among those to pay tribute.

Caius Emeritus Fellow Dr Anne Lyon, who knew Leslie well, said: “I have nothing but admiration for Leslie and his beautiful wife of over 60 years, Evie. In 2015 it was pure joy to see this remarkable Caian surrounded by TV and film stars from his era at the world premiere of Pure Imagination – The Songs of Leslie Bricusse in a West End Theatre. 

“His autobiography of the same name includes a delightful account (p55 to 58) of the story he loved to tell of the many challenges presented by ‘climbing in’ to Caius on a night when all the usual points of entry were closed, also recounted in Once a Caian… Issue 15 on p11 (and below). 

“He had many fond memories of his days at Caius, saying ‘Caius was the beginning and the reason it all happened, where I realised the sort of songs I wanted to write’.

“When introduced to the young Caian composer Tommy Hewitt-Jones (Music 2003) he took great pleasure in enthusiastically developing this link between two generations of Caius composers. He will be greatly missed by so many, a truly memorable Caian.”

Leslie was born in London on 29 January 1931 and educated at University College School before matriculating at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge in October 1951.

It was at Caius where his creative talents first prospered. He was President of the Footlights Revue Club and founded the Musical Comedy Club. The first two musical shows which he co-authored, directed and performed in, Out of the Blue and Lady at the Wheel, were created while a student at Caius and made their way to London’s West End.

He went on to write the book, music and/or lyrics for more than 40 musical films during his career, enjoying collaborations with high-profile artists. He was nominated for 10 Oscars, nine Grammys and four Tony Awards.

In 1967 he won the Oscar for Best Song, for Talk to the Animals from Doctor Dolittle. A second Oscar followed in 1982 for Best Music Score for Victor/Victoria, shared with Henry Mancini.

He won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for What Kind Of Fool Am I in 1962, shared with Anthony Newley. The song became a hit performed by Sammy Davis Jr, who recorded more than 60 of Leslie’s songs. He also won eight Ivor Novello Awards.

Leslie enjoyed a long and successful collaboration with Anthony Newley, which included writing the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971, based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl. Gene Wilder played Willy Wonka in the film, and the song Candyman was popular following broadcast.

In 1989, he received the Kennedy Award for consistent excellence in British songwriting, bestowed by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, and was inducted into the American Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. He was just the fourth Englishman to be inducted, after Noel Coward, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Major artists including Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Nina Simone, Placido Domingo, Robbie Williams, Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé are among the stars to have recorded his song. He also wrote two James Bond theme songs, Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice.

Dame Joan Collins wrote on Instagram: “One of the giant songwriters of our time, writer of #candyman #goldfinger amongst so many other hits, and my great friend Leslie Bricusse has sadly died today. He and his beautiful Evie have been in my life for over 50 years. I will miss him terribly, as will his many friends.”

He is survived by his wife Evie and son Adam.

Once a Caian… Issue 15, p11

An article on Leslie Bricusse

Photos by Dan White.

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