Biography

Best known for his "James Bond Theme" from Dr. No (1962), which is used in every James Bond Movie as part of the opening credits.

Interviewed on television by Jonathan Ross in his 70s, he revealed that the James Bond theme, his most famous work, was in fact the tune for a song he had written for a never-produced stage musical based on V.S. Naipaul's novel, "A House For Mr. Biswas". It was his idea that the music for "Dr. No", the first Bond film, would largely consist of West Indian folk-tunes and calypsos. Whilst this is actually true of most of the music in the film, the idea was not viewed favorably by Bond producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli, which might explain why Norman did not work on any subsequent Bond movies.

Was twice nominated for Broadway's Tony Award: in 1961 for the English book and lyrics, along with David Heneker and Julian More, as part of a Best Musical nomination for "Irma la Douce;" and, twenty years later, in 1981, again nominated with collaborator More as Best Book (Musical) for "The Moony Shapiro Songbook."

He also sang in various variety shows, sharing top billing with other singers and comedy stars such as Benny Hill, Harry Secombe, Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Harry Worth, Tommy Cooper, Jimmy James, Tony Hancock, Jimmy Edwards, and Max Miller. One of his songs, "False Hearted Lover", was successful internationally.

As a young man he did national service in the RAF, where he became interested in pursuing a career in singing. At the same time he also worked as a barber.