Thomas Ross Whitlock | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | (1954-02-20)February 20, 1954[1] |
| Died | February 18, 2023(2023-02-18) (aged 68) |
| Occupation | Songwriter |
Thomas Ross Whitlock (February 20, 1954 – February 18, 2023) was an American songwriter, best known for co-writing theAcademy Award– andGolden Globe–winning song "Take My Breath Away", performed byBerlin from the filmTop Gun, withGiorgio Moroder. He wrote the lyrics for another song for the film, "Danger Zone", performed byKenny Loggins.[2]
Whitlock was born and raised inSpringfield, Missouri. Many famous musicians visited the city as it hosted the television showOzark Jubilee, influencing Whitlock to play drums. Soon, he was a session musician working with notable composers likeWayne Carson, as well as a drummer for live bands. At the age of 15, Whitlock began writing songs at the piano.[3] During his high school years atGlendale High School, in Springfield, Missouri, he divided his time between studying during the day and playing drums with rock bands on the weekends throughout the Midwest. He enteredDrury University in 1971 to major in music. The university honored him as one of its Distinguished Alumni in 1998, and with an honorary doctorate in music the following year.[4][5]
In 1983, Whitlock travelled toLos Angeles, California, planning to start a band there. While helping his friend Dave Concors at the now defunct studio Davlen Sound Studios, Whitlock met famed composerGiorgio Moroder as he complained about brake defects in hisFerrari. Whitlock purchased some cans ofbrake fluid and proceeded to fix Moroder's car. Moroder eventually hired Whitlock for work at his studio. In the meantime, he studied recording with Moroder's engineer Brian Reeves, given the studio was busy with films such asScarface,Flashdance andBeverly Hills Cop, and wrote his own songs.[3] Prior to the production of theTop Gun soundtrack, Moroder found his songwriting partnersKeith Forsey andPete Bellotte unavailable, and knowing Whitlock was a lyricist invited him for the project.[3] Whitlock and Moroder co-wrote five songs forTop Gun including "Take My Breath Away" and theKenny Loggins hit "Danger Zone". ASCAP shows 113 songs registered, performed by artists such asBerlin,Bonnie Tyler,Jennifer Rush,Michael McDonald,Ray Charles,Graham Nash,Falco,Diana Ross,Teddy Pendergrass,Roger Daltrey, andJohn Entwistle.
Whitlock and Moroder had other collaborations, for the filmsOver the Top,American Anthem andRambo III, and also co-wrote the official theme songs for both the1988 Summer Olympics ("Hand In Hand") and the1990 FIFA World Cup ("To Be Number One").
In 2012, theLibrary of Congress honored Whitlock for his songwriting contributions.[6] Whitlock was also drummer of theMissouri band, The Dog People, with Michael Granda (aka Supe Dujour), Jim Wunderle, and Terry Wilson.
Whitlock died from complications of Alzheimer's disease inNashville, Tennessee, on February 18, 2023, at the age of 68.[1][7][8]
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