Should John Williams be Knighted?

This might be the most clear-cut vote of any poll. But I really feel that John Williams should be Knighted just as Steven Spielberg was recently. So it might be considered more of a petition than an actual poll.

Since Spielberg isn't a native of England, he didn't get the title of "Sir" Steven Spielberg and so would be the case with Mr. Williams who was born in New York.

 

Does anyone know if there are any qualifications per se to be knighted? Just curious.
But, he probably deserves to be knighted.

 

Sure, why not?

 

Spielberg's was an honorary knighthood. Sort of like receiving an honorary degree from Harvard.

Even Julie Andrews, who's actually British, has only an honorary knighthood.

Others who have one include Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, Colin Powell and former President George Bush.

 

If he was, too bad he wouldn't be Sir John Williams.

Too bad.

 

To be called sir, you don't have to be specifically born in Britain; only if you are in a country that is part of the British Commonwealth, like Australia, New Zealand, and a few others. There are plenty of people born in Australia, or New Zealand (or various other countries) that have a "Sir" title. Sir Donald Bradman (Australias greatest Cricketer who died recently), for example, was born in Australia.

Oh, Sean Connery does have a proper knighthood, as far as I'm aware.

While I think that his works are commendable, I don't think he would get one, simply because he isn't what you would call a public figure.

And since he is a native of New York, he doesn't qualify for a title. He would simple be "John Williams KBE" - Knight of the British Empire.

 

Wasn't Hopkins knighted?

 

The reason why Steven Spielberg was knighed was because he created a lot of jobs for people with the films he made in England, and boasted the British economy. Unfortunately I don't think John Williams has done too much of that, so I don't very much he'd get knighted. Which is a shame.

 

Oh, Sean Connery does have a proper knighthood, as far as I'm aware.

Can't be. He's not even English. He's Scottish.

 

Yeah John Williams only records with the London Symphony Orchestra for almost every score he composes and he does it at Abbey Road Studios. He's probably contributed as much if not more to the Arts in terms of classical music as Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. You can totally disassociate the music from the movies, discard the movies altogether and you're still left with masterpieces of music that stand on their own and will stand the test of time for many years to come.

If there was an achievable title of "God" I'd nominate Williams.

And you're telling me Spielberg deserves it more than him?

Please. Without John Williams, Steven Spielberg wouldn't even exist. He'd be some dude making wacky World War II movies.

 

Well said Lord Mauly Mall!

 

Let's not get carry away about Steven Spielberg, Lord Mauly Maul. I just think it's very unlikely that John Williams would get a knight-hood. Maybe it's because he's not high profile enough (I know he's got loads of television and film credits, but how many non-Star Wars fan know his name? Probably they could hum the Jaws theme, the Star Wars theme, and the Superman theme, but that's about it), or maybe he was offered, but turned it down. But if he deserves a knighthood, I reckon George Lucas deserves one, too.

 

DEHRIAN: "Can't be. He's not even English. He's Scottish."

Did you even read my previous message? I said that you don't have to be English, just a member of the British Commenwealth, and since Scotland is part of that Commonwealth, then he qualifies for a Knighthood - read it again!

And to add to that, and answer MASTAGE's question, yes, Anthony Hopkins was also knighted - and he's WELSH!

However, he has since had to give up that title since was nationialized as an American a few months ago - Yes, you must renounce your title if you change your nationality.

 

"Maybe it's because he's not high profile enough (I know he's got loads of television and film credits, but how many non-Star Wars fan know his name?"


Hmmm, I think you underestimate Williams' popularity, Oakessteve. If you conducted a poll or just asked around a bit, I think you'd be surprised at how many non-Star Wars fans know of Williams and/or his large body of work.

 

- read it again!

You don't sound very happy.

 

Maybe I'm out of touch. Maybe I never cared for the British much. Maybe I never would want the Queen to be in my sight. Maybe I don't understand the coolness. Maybe I just don't see why a royal family's decision should be of any importance today.....BUT, I find it to be more embarrassing than honorable to be associated with a monarchy that still sits high on the hog in today's supposedly free-world.

 

You tell them, bright sith!

 

That's okay, Bright Sith, I'm British, but I am also VERY anti-royalty, anti-establishment. For the record, I also hate living here too.

Our goal is life should be to live in a world without classes.

 

He should be knighted in every country that still has a knighthood!

 

Wow I didn't think the question of Williams being Knighted would be controversial, but apparently it is and has provoked strong feelings!

 

I'd love to see JW given an honourable knighthood but doubt it'll ever happen. As others have said, he isn't mainstream enough to be recognised despite his incredible talent. As non-British (or commonwealth) citizens can't use the (I think) rather cool "Sir" anyway, I doubt it's something that keeps him awake at night. It's just a little British (not English) quirk that's quite popular here that's all.

Just out of interest, does anyone in the US even have the slightest idea how Britain works? You all refer to our funny shaped little island as England when in fact it is Great Britain. GB is made up of three Nation states, Scotland, England and Wales. Bright Sith, the monarchy have absolutely no power do do anything at all without the democratically elected government's say-so. They are there for show and bring in a shed load of foreign tourist's cash. In that respect they pay for themselves several times over.

I personally would like to see Britain become a republic, one that would see the Presidential candidate with the MOST votes enter power at that.

 

Aside from the fact that Williams is not British (I'd like to believe he's from my neck of the woods, Boston), he definitely deserves knighthood.

Sir Elton John.
Sir Sean Connery.

I'd place Williams as being more influential and inspiring than the two of them, but that's a subjective view.

 

Actually Williams owns a cottage out in Tanglewood where he normally does most of his composing. Besides Boston's Symphony Hall, which could be considered his home away from home.

 

If Sean Connary got knighted then JW deserves to be.