Tom Whitlock, songwriter of ‘Top Gun’ hits, dies aged 68

The artist created the text of “Take My Breath Away” whose melodies were composed by Giorgio Moroder; both shared the Oscar in 1987

Composer Tom Whitlock, Academy Award winner for Best Original Song for Take my Breath Awayhuge success of the soundtrack of Top Gun: Aces Raging (1986, died Feb. 18, aged 68. Death was confirmed by Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home this Friday (2/24), without disclosing cause of death.

Whitlock created the lyrics for Take my Breath Away which had its melodies composed by Giorgio Moroder, pioneer of electronic music and disco music. The two shared the Oscar honor in 1987.

In addition to winning the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences trophy, the recording of the song, recorded by the band Berlin, spent weeks at the top of the charts in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

The duo also composed Lead me, through the fire, Radio radar AND dangerous area to the path of Top Gunsand the latter was revived in the recent release of Top Gun: nonconformist.

The partnership has also extended to the trails of A Heavy Cop II (1987) and Rambo III (1988) and the official themes of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1990 World Cup, played in Italy. Additionally, Whitlock has also worked with several partners such as Sammy Hagar in Falcon – The champion of champions (1987), Shannon stolen beauty (1987) and Jessica Riddle in 10 things I hate about you (1999), as well as composing music for comedy The Big Beard (1988) and the action movie Unbeatable command (nineteen ninety).

In her official profile, singer Teri Nunn, from the band Berlin, who recorded Take my Breath Awaywrote a tribute to the composer:

“Tom Whitlock, you have changed my life and touched millions of other people with your beautiful words to ‘Take My Breath Away’. Thank you for the opportunity to sing them. Wishing you unlimited peace and joy until we see you in your next big adventure . I love you”.

We recall below the greatest hit composed by Whitlock, in the original recording of the band Berlin.

Tom Whitlock, you have changed my life and touched millions of others with your beautiful words in Take My Breath Away. Thanks for the opportunity to sing them. Wishing you unlimited peace and joy as we bid you farewell on your next great adventure. I love you. – Terri pic.twitter.com/HBJCwifMND

— BERLIN || Terri Nunn (@RealTerriNunn) February 21, 2023

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.