Hal Willner dies in New York

Film music producer had complications of Covid-19

by Anne-Katrin Titze

Hal Willner with Paul Shaffer and Ralph Steadman at the For No Good Reason reception, hosted by Sony Pictures Classics' co-presidents Tom Bernard and Michael Barker at Red Bull Studio in 2014.
Hal Willner with Paul Shaffer and Ralph Steadman at the For No Good Reason reception, hosted by Sony Pictures Classics' co-presidents Tom Bernard and Michael Barker at Red Bull Studio in 2014. Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

Film music producer Hal Willner has died in New York on Tuesday, April 7, at the age of 64 from symptoms consistent with the coronavirus. His film credits include Oren Moverman’s The Dinner, Joseph Cedar’s Norman: The Moderate Rise And Tragic Fall Of A New York Fixer, Laura Israel’s Don’t Blink - Robert Frank, Martin Scorsese’s Gangs Of New York, Wim WendersThe Million Dollar Hotel with Bono, Brian Eno, Jon Hassell, and Daniel Lanois, John Hillcoat’s Lawless with Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and Robert Altman’s Short Cuts. Willner put together Tom Waits and Keith Richards in the recording studio and recently completed work on a Marc Bolan tribute album.

His wonderful September Song filmed tribute to Kurt Weill included performances by Lou Reed, Elvis Costello, David Johansen, William S Burroughs, PJ Harvey, and Nick Cave.

New York City remains the centre of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, with more than 5,000 deaths reported.

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