John Barry, the long-time James Bond composer, has died aged 77 on January 30. 

The five-time Oscar winner spent many years writing music for the classic 007 films and co-wrote 'Diamonds Are Forever' and 'Born Free' with lyricist Don Black, who said of Barry's passing:

"I think I knew him as well as anyone in the world. We were best friends for a long time, since the early Sixties," 

"The thing about John that I will always remember was he never changed. He was very much the Yorkshireman whether he was in Beverly Hills or Manhattan."

The family of Barry released a statement that read:

"It is with great sadness that the family of composer John Barry announce his passing on the 30th of January 2011 in New York."

"Mr Barry is survived by his wife of 33 years, Laurie, and his four children and five grandchildren."

"Funeral arrangements will be strictly private and a memorial service will be held later this year in the UK."

Watch the composer conduct an orchestra performing his James Bond theme, 'Goldfinger', here: