Date of Birth: May 24, 1936
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: December 8, 2020
Biography
Harold Budd was an influential American composer known for his ambient and minimalist music. Born on May 24, 1936, in Los Angeles, California, Budd grew up with a strong interest in jazz and later transitioned into avant-garde and ambient music. He attended the University of Southern California, where he studied under Ingolf Dahl and earned a degree in musical composition. His early works were experimental and avant-garde, but he gained wider recognition in the 1970s when he started to collaborate with British ambient musician Brian Eno. Budd’s music is characterized by its serene and atmospheric qualities, often utilizing minimalistic piano and synthesizer melodies. His collaborations with Eno, particularly on albums like “Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror” and “The Pearl,” are considered seminal works in the ambient genre. Over his career, Budd released numerous albums, worked on film soundtracks, and collaborated with a variety of artists including Cocteau Twins, Robin Guthrie, and Daniel Lanois.
5 Interesting Facts about Harold Budd
1. Harold Budd served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany, which influenced his early musical explorations.
2. He initially abandoned music in the 1970s but was encouraged to return by composer and teacher James Tenney.
3. Budd’s collaboration with Brian Eno on “Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror” is considered one of the pioneering works of ambient music.
4. He composed several pieces inspired by the desert landscapes of the American Southwest, reflecting his love for minimalism and natural beauty.
5. Budd’s music has been featured in various films and TV shows, notably in the soundtrack for the film “Mysterious Skin” in collaboration with Robin Guthrie.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harold Budd
1. “I’m not a minimalist at all. I find that term so repulsive.”
2. “My music is the place where my mind goes, when it wants to be somewhere nice.”
3. “I’m just a guy who likes to play the piano and make pretty sounds.”
4. “Music is a lot like painting; it’s about creating a space for the listener.”
5. “I want my music to be timeless, to exist in a place where time doesn’t matter.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Harold Budd’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million.
Children
Harold Budd was a private individual, and there is limited public information available about his children. It is known that he had a family, but details about his children are kept out of the public eye.
Relevant Links
1. [Harold Budd on AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/harold-budd-mn0000954214
2. [Harold Budd’s Discography on Discogs](https://www.discogs.com/artist/4041-Harold-Budd
3. [Harold Budd’s Biography on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Budd
4. [Harold Budd on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0118997/
5. [Harold Budd’s Albums on Bandcamp](https://haroldbudd.bandcamp.com/