Monty Norman wins apology from Classic FM
31 August 2008
Classic FM has apologised to Monty Norman, composer of the James Bond Theme, after an allegation made during their "Classic FM at the Movies" programme which suggested that Monty Norman may not have composed the theme. This allegation was made despite earlier having recorded that Monty Norman had won a libel trial in London in 2001 after his role as composer had been called into question in a national newspaper and when a unanimous jury verdict was returned in his favour.
Proceedings were issued for defamation in the High Court and GCap Media Plc, the parent company of Classic FM, has agreed to apologise and to pay Monty's legal costs.
Transcript of apology - 31 August 2008
"There follows an apology on behalf of Classic FM to Mr Monty Norman.
In our "Classic FM At The Movies" programme on 24 February 2008, between 4 and 5pm and on our online "Listen Again" service for the following seven days, we played The James Bond Theme as part of a programme dedicated to the works of John Barry.
Inadvertently, we questioned whether we could ever know who composed the famous Theme despite earlier recording that Mr Norman had won a libel trial in London in 2001 after his role as its composer was called into question in a national newspaper and when a unanimous jury verdict was returned in his favour.
We very much regret calling Mr Norman's achievement into question and are very happy to accept that Mr Norman did compose The James Bond Theme tune. In recognition of that outstanding achievement he was given a Special Ivor Noevello Award both for The HJames Bond Theme tune and the score of "Dr No".
Unfortunately our new CD "Classic FM At The Movies: The Ultimate Collection" incorrectly failed to credit The James Bond Theme to Monty Norman. If this CD is re-released in future, Monty Norman will be correctly credited as composer.
We therefore wish to apologise to Mr Norman for the distress and embarassment he has been caused. Sorry Monty."
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