Thomas Ross Whitlock was an American songwriter and musician, best known for his Academy Award-and Golden Globe-winning song “Take My Breath Away“, from the film Top Gun, which he co-wrote with Giorgio Moroder.
He was born on February 20, 1954, and sadly died on February 18, 2023.
Whitlock was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. Many well-known musicians visited the city as it hosted }television show Ozark Jubilee, influencing Whitlock to play drums. Soon, he was a session musician working with famous composers like Wayne Carson, as well as a drummer for live bands. At the age of 15, Whitlock began writing songs at the piano.
During his high school years at Glendale High School, in Springfield, Missouri, he divided his time between studying during the day and playing drums with rock bands on the weekends throughout the Midwest. He entered Drury University in 1971 and majored in music. The university honored him as Distinguished Alumni in 1998 and with an honorary doctorate in music the following year.
Tom Whitlock’s top songs
Some of his well-known top songs are :
Radar Radio (1986), Danger Zoner (1986), Meet Me Half Way (1987), Take My Breath Away (1998), Lead Me On (1986), Take It Higher (1987), I will Be Strong (1987), All I Need Is You (1987), Goodbye to the Good Times (1986).
Tom Whitlock awards
Whitlock has won 4 popular awards. They are:
- Best Music, Original Song: Top Gun (1986). By: Academy Awards, USA (1987)
- Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures: Over the Top (1987). By: ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (1988).
- Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures: Over the Top (1987). By: ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards (1987).
- Best Original Song – Motion Picture: Top Gun (1986). By: Golden Globes, USA (1987).
