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by David Calcano (Author), Hans Zimmer (Foreword by), Christopher Lennertz (Introduction by)
The Pink Panther theme, Moon River, and Peter Gunn...songs that defined a generation. Henry Mancini wrote some of the most hummed melodies of all time, winning him four Oscars and twenty Grammy Awards. Now for the first time, we are telling his fully authorized story in a graphic novel written by David Calcano, author of books for Rush, The Beach Boys, Tenacious D, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, and many more. Readers will feast their eyes on glorious art by the award-winning studio Fantoons.
Discover the true story of Henry Mancini--the 4-time Oscar winner and 20-time Grammy-award winning composer who revolutionized film music and inspired generations. From learning the flute with his father in a Pennsylvania steel town to receiving standing ovations at the Hollywood Bowl, The Extraordinary Life of Henry Mancini is a stunning graphic novel that charts the rise of one of the most important composers in Hollywood history. Mancini's legendary scores for The Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and Peter Gunn didn't just support the films--they helped define the sound of an era. With lush, hand-painted illustrations on every page, this book captures the emotional highs and lows of Mancini's remarkable journey through the golden age of film and television. Inside, readers will discover incredible true stories--like how a young John Williams got one of his very first breaks in the industry when Mancini hired him to play piano on the Peter Gunn soundtrack. It's just one example of how Mancini helped shape the future of film music beyond his own timeless work. You'll also explore his collaborations with screen legends like Blake Edwards, Howard Hawks, Audrey Hepburn, and Orson Welles, as well as the fascinating story behind his rejected score for Alfred Hitchcock. Experience how Mancini's groundbreaking style influenced generations of composers, including John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and John Powell. Perfect for fans of film history, soundtrack collectors, and music lovers, The Extraordinary Life of Henry Mancini is a must-have celebration of the man who changed the way movies sound--forever. The book features a beautiful foreword by Hans Zimmer and an introduction by the renowned composer Christopher Lennertz (The Boys).Author Biography
Originally from Caracas, David Calcano has been fusing still and moving pictures with music to craft meaningful stories for over a decade as the Chief Director of Fantoons Animation Studios. He's written for the page and screen, as well as directed animation for the likes of Disney, Universal, Warner, Westbrook (Will Smith's company), Publicis, Rush, Nat King Cole, Iron Maiden, Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, The Beach Boys, Johnny Ramone, and more... the list goes on and on!
His creative output includes award-winning animated music videos, advertising spots, album packages, concert visuals, and critically-acclaimed books. Beyond his professional delivery, David is a massive music fan with a collection of more than 10,000 records and counting.
