Angelo Badalamenti, a well-known music composer, died on Sunday, December 11, at the age of 85. He is well-known for his work on films and television programs such as Law and Disorder, Tough Guys Don’t Dance, Wild at Heart, Lost Highway, Stalingrad, and Twin Peaks, among others.
Angelo’s nephew paid homage to him on social media, tweeting a photo and complimenting his efforts with the caption:
“A great musical and aesthetic inspiration to me and many others. He never left North Jersey for Los Angeles, remaining faithful to his background and family. Not to mention the random yet mind-blowing factual anecdotes from his life that he never tired of telling. Many people will miss him.”
Angelo died of natural causes in his home in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, where he lived at the time of his death. At the moment, the composer was surrounded by family members.
Angelo Badalamenti created the music for a number of films and television series.
Angelo Badalamenti, born on March 22, 1937, became a piano master at an early age. He performed on several occasions and completed his studies at the Manhattan School of Music. He was recruited as a soundtrack composer for David Lynch’s 1986 mystery thriller film Blue Velvet shortly after beginning his career in the business. The soundtrack garnered favorable reviews and was included in Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 100 Greatest Film Soundtracks. Angelo collaborated with David once again for the ABC drama series Twin Peaks and was hailed for his work on the theme tune, subsequently winning a Grammy Award for ‘Best Pop Instrumental Performance for his efforts.
David previously claimed that they used to discuss a certain scenario and then work on the music for it when speaking about his experience working with the music composer. The filmmaker also said that they composed a few pieces on the piano by themselves, and Angelo was the reason he learned so much about music. Angelo’s other credits include A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Wild at Heart, The Straight Story, Naked in New York, The Wicker Man, Secretary, Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist, The Edge of Love, and more.
Angelo Badalamenti was well-known for his songwriting collaborations with many musicians. He has contributed to albums such as The In Sound of Way Out!, A Secret Life, Sound of White Noise, and others. The late music composer received several awards, including a Grammy and a Saturn Award. In 2008, he got the World Soundtrack Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Angelo Badalamenti’s wife Lonny and their two children survive him. Since 1968, the couple has been married.