RIP David Cripps

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In case you weren't aware, we recently lost David Cripps.  He was the principal French Horn player of the London Symphony Orchestra during Johnny's Golden Age in the 1970's and 80's where he played in the original Star Wars trilogy (he's the horn solo in the Princess Leia theme, Yoda Theme, Han and the Princess, etc.), Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and much else.

 

David was a legend in the horn and music world.  When he was visiting LA, we went to an orchestral rehearsal of the Santa Monica Symphony and the entire horn section recognized him and muttered..."holy shit...that's David Cripps".  He was then introduced by the conductor (who was a professional musician and violinist in the LA Philharmonic) who introduced him to the rest of the orchestra and handed him the baton to conduct Rachmaninoff.  David had so much fun, he absolutely loved hanging out with musicians and they were giddy to meet him.  He had a perfect memory of so much and even remembered performing Johnny's Symphony (remember, JW wasn't yet famous in the early 1970's so it was amazing to me he remembered playing that work as the LSO was playing new music by major and minor composers all the time).  A very lovely, kind, and generous man and incredible musician.  RIP.

 

Obituary | David Cripps of Tucson, Arizona | Norvel Owens Mortuary

Another very joyful memory I wish to share.  I was staying with David and of course music topic came up, something he always loved talking about.  We were listening to my favorite Star Wars score, Empire Strikes Back, and commenting on it throughout.  In the Clash of the Lightsabers, there were all horns playing staccato (short notes) so precise, it really amazed me just the skill, precision, and talent of the entire ensemble but especially David's horn section.  Completely lost in the music, I turned to him and said "Damn you guys were good".  He slowly reflected and with a gentle smile replied, "Yes, we sure were...we sure were good".  That memory brought a laugh to me just now because there was actually zero hint of arrogance, just a very modest man accepting a compliment from a fan with a sly smile.