Walt Disney Records:
Biography of Danny Elfman
Sharing director Tim Burton's enthusiasm for horror and fantasy, Danny Elfman has taken a rather unorthodox route to his present status as one of the movie industry's leading composers. Early in his career, Elfman toured with The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a somewhat twisted musical and theatrical troupe. Developing a trademark macabre sense and unusual style, Elfman later founded the slightly off-center rock group Oingo Boingo. From his rock roots, Elfman did the unexpected, catapulting to the front ranks of an elite fraternity of film composers, successfully using the motion picture industry as his new stage. Initially commissioned to compose the music for Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Elfman had no idea that the light, carnival-like score would someday lead to a partnership with director Tim Burton. The two collaborated on such blockbuster hits as Batman, for which Elfman received a Grammy® for Best Original Score; as well as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Batman Returns.
Elfman also played a major role in the development of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas for Disney. Working from scratch with Burton, Elfman composed all of the music and lyrics for the film's ten songs and finale reprise. He also supplied the singing voice of lead character Jack Skellington and functioned as associate producer.
His additional credits include composing for such directors as Warren Beatty (Dick Tracy), John Amiel (Sommersby), Martin Brest (Midnight Run), Sam Raimi (Darkman), Clive Barker (Nightbreed), and Richard Donner (Scrooged).
Elfman also wrote the themes to such television stand-outs as "The Simpsons" and HBO's "Tales From the Crypt." In addition, his themes for Beetlejuice and Batman accompany these current animated series.