Don Black CBE started out as a standup comedian and blames himself entirely for the death of Variety. He made his West End debut as a theatre lyricist with composer John Barry on the musical Billy, starring Michael Crawford at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

Don Black received two Tony Awards for best book and lyrics of a Musical for his work (with Christopher Hampton) on Sunset Boulevard, which marked his third collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber. They first joined forces to write the song cycle Tell Me On A Sunday which was developed to form the basis of the stage show Song and Dance. They were reunited for Aspects of Love. He also wrote lyrics for the Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced Bombay Dreams.

Awards include an Oscar for his song “Born Free”, five Academy Award nominations, two Tony Awards and three Tony nominations, six Ivor Novello Awards, a Golden Globe and many platinum and gold discs.

He has written a quintet of James Bond theme songs: “Thunderball”, “Diamonds Are Forever”, “The Man With The Golden Gun”, “Surrender” from Tomorrow Never Dies and “The World Is Not Enough.”

Among his many popular songs are two U.S. number ones – “Ben” for Michael Jackson and “To Sir With Love” for Lulu.

He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and honoured, in London, with a BMI Icon Award in 2010.

Don also received the Order of the British Empire in the  Queen’s Honours list.

In 2020, he was awarded the Special Olivier Award for his outstanding services to theatre.

After two hit seasons in London’s West End, Don’s ‘Bonnie & Clyde The Musical’ will embark on its first ever UK & Ireland tour, opening at Leicester Curve, on Thursday 22nd February 2024 and running until July 2024.  Tickets are on sale now at www.bonnieandclydemusical.com