Tom Whitlock

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Thomas Ross Whitlock
Background information
Born(1954-02-20)February 20, 1954[1]
Springfield, Missouri, US
DiedFebruary 18, 2023(2023-02-18) (aged 68)
Nashville, Tennessee, US
Occupation(s)Songwriter

Thomas Ross Whitlock (February 20, 1954 – February 18, 2023) was an American songwriter, best known for co-writing the

Golden Globe–winning song "Take My Breath Away", performed by Berlin from the film Top Gun, with Giorgio Moroder. He wrote another song for the film, "Danger Zone", performed by Kenny Loggins.[2]

Career

Whitlock was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. Many famous musicians visited the city as it hosted the television show Ozark Jubilee, influencing Whitlock to play drums. Soon, he was a session musician working with notable composers like Wayne 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 at Glendale 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 entered Drury 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 to

Michael McDonald, Ray Charles, Graham Nash, Falco, Diana Ross, Teddy Pendergrass, Roger Daltrey, and John Entwistle
.

Whitlock and Moroder had other collaborations, for the films

Hand In Hand") and the 1990 FIFA World Cup ("To Be Number One
").

In 2012, the Library of Congress honored Whitlock for his songwriting contributions.[6] Whitlock was also drummer of the Missouri band, The Dog People, with Michael Granda (aka Supe Dujour), Jim Wunderle, and Terry Wilson.

Death

Whitlock died from complications of Alzheimer's disease in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 18, 2023, at the age of 68.[1][7][8]

Filmography of songs

References

  1. ^ a b Smith, Harrison. "Tom Whitlock dies at 68; 'Danger Zone' lyricist helped 'Top Gun' soar". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  2. ^ [1] [dead link]
  3. ^ a b c [2] [dead link]
  4. ^ "Alumni Spotlight: Tom Whitlock '76". Alumni.drury.edu. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "A Drury degree three decades in the making". Newsroom.drury.edu. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "Library of Congress to Honor Springfield Native's Contribution to American Music". Billy Long. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016.
  7. ^ "Friends mourn Tom Whitlock, Springfield writer of 'Danger Zone' and 'Take My Breath Away'". Springfield News-Leader. February 20, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "Tom Whitlock obituary". The Times. February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.

External links