Born in Los Angeles in 1953, Daniel Robert (Danny) Elfman first became known as a vocalist and songwriter of the Oingo Boingo band, with which he was involved from 1976 to 1995. Later on, Elfman began to write music for television shows, the most notable one being The Simpsons. Like Silvestri and Zemeckis, Danny Elfman also developed a successful long-term relationship with a director, in his case – Tim Burton. The two met in 1985 and during the following years, Elfman composed the scores for almost all of Burton’s films – Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands (Grammy-nominated), The Nightmare Before Christmas (produced/co-written by T. Burton, directed by Henry Selick), Batman, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
“We don’t even have to talk about the music” says Burton. “We’re both similar that way. We’re very lucky to connect” (Breskin, 1997). Elfman has become known as the “dark side” Hollywod composer. His musical representations of monsters and superheroes, touched by darkness, ghostliness, and mysticism, are unique. The composer’s talent is once again on display in one of Hollywood’s blockbusters, Spider-Man 1 and 2, directed by Sam Raimi. The score to these films carries tremendous energy, elusive harmony, and is brilliantly orchestrated. Elfman has been nominated for an Academy Award four times. He also won a Grammy for Batman and an Emmy for the original theme to the TV show, Desperate Housewives.