Don Black

Don Black OBE (born Gerald Blackstone, 21 June 1938, London) is an English lyricist. His works have included numerous musicals, movie themes and hit songs. He has provided lyrics for John Barry, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Quincy Jones, Jule Styne, Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein, Michel Legrand and Marvin Hamlisch. Black was born on 21 June 1938, the youngest of five children of Russian immigrants Morris and Betsy Blackstone. During his childhood the fa... more

Don Black OBE (born Gerald Blackstone, 21 June 1938, London) is an English lyricist. His works have included numerous musicals, movie themes and hit songs. He has provided lyrics for John Barry, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Quincy Jones, Jule Styne, Henry Mancini, Elmer Bernstein, Michel Legrand and Marvin Hamlisch. Black was born on 21 June 1938, the youngest of five children of Russian immigrants Morris and Betsy Blackstone. During his childhood the family lived in a flat in Tornay House, Shore Place, South Hackney. He began his music industry career as an office boy with a music publishing firm, and later worked as a song-plugger. He also had a brief spell as a stand-up comic. He was personal manager to the singer, Matt Monro for many years and also provided songs for the singer (usually writing English language lyrics to continental songs). These included "Walk Away" (music: Udo Jürgens) and "For Mamma" (music: Charles Aznavour). Black's first film work was the lyrics for the theme of... less