Vic Flick, the British session guitarist who immortalized the signature riff of the James Bond theme, has died at the age of 87. Flick’s passing, on November 14, was confirmed by his son, Kevin Flick, who revealed that his father had been battling Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Surrey, England, in 1937, Flick’s musical career took off alongside composer John Barry in the John Barry Seven. It was during this period that Barry was enlisted to rearrange Monty Norman’s original theme for Dr. No, the first James Bond film. The result was a sound that would define 007 for generations: a haunting, guitar-heavy theme that became synonymous with the legendary spy.
The momentous riff was recorded in 1962, when Flick, using a 1939 English Clifford Essex Paragon Deluxe guitar and a Fender Vibrolux amplifier, laid down the electrifying sound. Though he was paid just a modest one-off fee of £6, Flick’s contribution to the theme was monumental. “It had an edge to it, sort of a dynamic sound,” Flick later reflected in a 2012 interview with music journalist Jon Burlingame for his book The Music of James Bond. “I overplayed it—leaned into those thick low strings with the very hard plectrum. It came out exciting, almost ‘attacking’, which fit the James Bond image.”
As one of the most iconic riffs in movie history, the Bond theme continues to resonate with fans worldwide, a testament to Flick’s pioneering technique and musical intuition. In 2021, Flick elaborated on his approach to the famous guitar sound in an interview with Guitar Player magazine. He explained how his choice of plectrum, the placement of the DeArmond pickup near the bridge, and even a crushed cigarette packet placed beneath it, contributed to the mysterious and powerful tone that has captivated audiences for decades. “It had a bite that they loved,” Flick said.
Beyond his work on the Bond franchise, Flick’s musical legacy includes contributions to numerous other recordings. He played on hits such as Peter and Gordon’s A World Without Love, Petula Clark’s Downtown, Tom Jones’ It’s Not Unusual and What’s New Pussycat?, and the Bee Gees’ Spicks and Specks. His musical versatility also saw him work with some of the biggest names in music, including Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, and Dusty Springfield.
Flick’s reputation as a “musician’s musician” was cemented by those who worked with him. Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues praised him in the foreword to Flick’s memoir, Vic Flick, Guitarman: From James Bond to The Beatles and Beyond, calling him a true guitarist whose presence and playing style commanded respect. “He always stood up to play! The real guitar heroes always stood,” Hayward wrote.
Throughout his illustrious career, Flick received numerous accolades, including a lifetime achievement award from the National Guitar Museum in 2013, which recognized his outstanding contributions to the world of music.
As fans and fellow musicians alike mourn his passing, Flick’s contributions to the sound of cinema and popular music remain undeniable. His distinctive guitar work will forever be etched in the history of James Bond and beyond, an enduring legacy for a guitarist who helped shape the soundtrack of an era.
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