Vic Flick, guitarist on James Bond theme song, dies aged 87

He went on to work on various other 007 soundtracks, including 'From Russia With Love' and 'Goldfinger'

Vic Flick, who was famous for the guitar riff on the James Bond theme, has died aged 87.

The British session musician passed away last Thursday (November 14) after suffering with Alzheimer’s disease according to his son, Kevin Flick.

The Bond theme tune was originally recorded in 1962 for the first movie Dr. No, with Flick playing the famous riff on a 1939 English Clifford Essex Paragon Deluxe guitar plugged into a Fender Vibrolux amplifier. He was paid just £6 at the time.

He went on to work on various other Bond soundtracks, including From Russia With Love and Goldfinger.

“It had an edge to it, sort of a dynamic sound,” Flick told Jon Burlingame for his 2012 book The Music Of James Bond (via The Guardian). “I overplayed it – leaned into those thick low strings with the very hard plectrum, played it slightly ahead of the beat, and it came out exciting, almost ‘attacking’, which fit the James Bond image.”

More recently he reflected on the “mysterious, powerful sound” of the theme, telling Guitar Player in 2021: “The recorded sound was due to the plectrum I used and the guitar’s strings. I placed the DeArmond pickup near the bridge. I put a crushed cigarette packet underneath it to get it nearer the strings. That helped to get that round sound.”

“Most important, sound-wise, was the Vox AC15 amplifier,” Flick continued. “I used it on tour. It wouldn’t let me down – until it fell eight feet into a music pit and disintegrated.”

He went on to perform on hundreds of hits including including Tom Jones’ ‘It’s Not Unusual’ and ‘What’s New Pussycat?’, Bee Gees’ Spicks and Specks, and ‘Ringo’s Theme (This Boy)’ for The Beatles’ 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night. Over the years he also worked with the likes of Jimmy Page, George Martin, Cliff Richard, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra and Dusty Springfield.

Meanwhile, the producers of the James Bond franchise recently said the films will “change” in a “new direction” when the next lead actor is announced.

Daniel Craig wrapped up his stint as 007 after five films with 2021’s No Time To Die, and Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who oversee the Bond estate, have not confirmed who will be taking on the role next.

Tom Hardy has long been considered among the favourites, with the actor responding to the rumours as far back as 2017. Last year, he was named as the public’s second choice for the role, behind Idris Elba.

It was, however, reported in March that EON Production had offered Aaron Taylor-Johnson the job after he impressed Broccoli in a screen test. The actor was asked about the rumours in April, but swerved the question, as he had done multiple times previously. Neither he nor the producers have confirmed or denied the speculation.

Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan also weighed in on the potential casting, showing his support for Taylor-Johnson.