It also likely explains why he didn't perform at the Hollywood Bowl this summer.
Interesting to finally know the real answer. (That said, it seems like it was a private matter for Williams, but Spielberg just sort of blurted it out. Good thing they're such old friends!)
There are Pictures of John Williams and The LSO at Disney Hall...Way back in early spring? Well he was explaining the situation to the LSO of why He was not going to London and using the LSO with the new Star Wars flic. With what was all going on...Williams would only have 2 weeks to record with The LSO...Plus...
Disney insisted that John Williams Records with a Los Angeles Orchestra...Because of Labor Laws. Correct me if I got that wrong...please..
But...JJ Abrams was giving Williams more time to compose and conduct Star Wars. He began way back in May?
This is from Vanity Fair.
‘My meetings with George had to do with spotting the film, selecting areas in which music would be played, and pretty much we agreed on all that. He always left me free to write the music. And J.J.’s done the same thing,’ he told Vanity Fair. ‘We’ve had a few preliminary meetings, and I’ve played him some music at the piano, which he seemed to like very much. His latest instruction to me was, “Just do your thing.” Which is giving me a good sense of freedom, a good free swing at the ball.”
I'm quite surprised that Spielberg made this public. Obviously Williams wanted to keep it private, otherwise we would have gotten to know this - via HIS PEOPLE - when the op took place some months back. I thought it was for a back procedure (from what I'd read here), but now assume that was just people here putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 (he had a back complaint, had to cancel some concerts, couldn't score Bridge Of Spies AND Star Wars..it's a fair assumption I suppose). You really CAN'T have a private life in Hollywood, can ya! Even yer mates can't be trusted!
I'm quite surprised that Spielberg made this public. Obviously Williams wanted to keep it private, otherwise we would have gotten to know this - via HIS PEOPLE - when the op took place some months back. I thought it was for a back procedure (from what I'd read here), but now assume that was just people here putting 2 and 2 together and getting 5 (he had a back complaint, had to cancel some concerts, couldn't score Bridge Of Spies AND Star Wars..it's a fair assumption I suppose). You really CAN'T have a private life in Hollywood, can ya! Even yer mates can't be trusted!
I think it was best that Williams personal health problem was not discussed openly at that time. It would have lead to un-necessary speculation and negative PR in the industry specially surrounding the new STAR WARS movie hype. Having said that, Williams returning to good health and now composing and conducting made it feasible and easy for Spielberg to discuss Williams absence from his latest project. Given his long relationship with Spielberg I doubt Williams would at the least mind.
Heh! I even expect John Williams turning up during the 'Music score ' segment of BRIDGE OF SPIES dvd in its special features discussing (along with Spielberg) why he was not involved and of course praising Thomas Newman's great contribution to the project. After all its all part of the 'family'!
