Barry Gray - 21st Century Boy

There are few people who can think of those classic Gerry Anderson puppet series like Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and Stingray without subconciously humming the theme tunes. The man behind those stirring and emotive pieces of music was Barry Gray who was, without doubt, an essential ingredient in the success of Gerry Anderson's telefantasy productions in the 1960's and 70's.

Born in 1925 in Lancashire, Barry Gray was an established arranger, composer and conductor on radio and recording studio boss when in 1956 he became musical director for a small film production company run by Arthur Provis and Gerry Anderson (AP Films), which later became Century 21 Productions. Over the next 18 years Anderson and Gray formed a creative partnership that produced such classics as Four Feather Falls Supercar and Fireball XL5. When Anderson moved into colour productions, Barry Gray upped his game producing outstanding scores for Stingray, Joe 90, Captain Scarlet and The Mysterons and the world famous Thunderbirds.

Gray continued to work with Anderson when Century 21 Productions moved into live action with Space 1999, UFO and Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun (AKA Doppleganger). In 1970 Barry Gray retired to Guernsey occasionally composing and conducting, until his passing in 1984.

Although, some great musicians have come and gone since the days of Barry Gray, few have made such an impact on so many people and summed up an entire era as this gentle man with a massive musical talent.