Vic Flick, Iconic James Bond Theme Guitarist, Passes Away at 87 – Remembering His Legacy

Vic Flick, the guitarist who played the iconic riff in the James Bond theme tune, has died at the age of 87. His son, Kevin, shared the news on social media. Flick had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before his passing.

Born in Surrey in 1937, Flick’s contribution to music extended beyond the Bond theme. He worked with notable artists like The Beatles, Tom Jones, and Eric Clapton throughout his career. The famous riff Flick played was part of Monty Norman’s theme for the 1962 film Dr. No. He was paid £6 for his work on that song.

Flick’s signature sound came from a 1939 English Clifford Essex Paragon Deluxe guitar, which he played through a Fender Vibrolux amplifier. This guitar is now showcased at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio.

In addition to his work on the Bond theme, Flick collaborated on soundtracks including Shirley Bassey’s Goldfinger in 1964. Flick received a lifetime achievement award from the National Guitar Museum in 2013, who praised him as “one of the world’s great guitarists.”

Composer Monty Norman, who wrote the original Bond theme, passed away in 2022 at 94. He recognized that switching the riff from a sitar to an electric guitar captured the essence of Bond’s character.

Flick is survived by his wife Judith, his son Kevin, and one grandchild. He will be remembered for his significant impact on music and film.