Michael Arnold Kamen was an American composer, arranger, conductor, and musician, born on April 15, 1948, in New York City. He was the second of four sons to Saul, a dentist, and Helen Kamen, a teacher. Kamen's musical journey began at the High School of Music & Art in New York, where he befriended Martin Fulterman (later known as Mark Snow). He furthered his education at The Juilliard School, focusing on the oboe.

Kamen co-founded the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, a rock-classical fusion band, with classmates including Fulterman and Dorian Rudnytsky. The band gained attention for its unique blend of genres and performed at prestigious venues like Lincoln Center. Kamen's early career involved composing ballets and collaborating with Pink Floyd on their album "The Wall."

Kamen became a sought-after arranger in pop and rock music, working with artists such as David Bowie, Queen, Aerosmith, Metallica, and Bryan Adams. His orchestral arrangements were notable, including the live orchestral version of Aerosmith's "Dream On" for MTV and Metallica's "Symphony and Metallica" project.

In Hollywood, Kamen composed scores for over eighty films and television shows. His notable works include scores for the "Die Hard" and "Lethal Weapon" franchises, "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "X-Men," "The Iron Giant," and the television series "Band of Brothers." His music was known for its emotional depth and ability to enhance action scenes.

Throughout his career, Kamen received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, a BAFTA TV Award, and nominations for Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and an Emmy. He co-wrote hit singles like "Everything I Do, I Do It For You" with Bryan Adams and contributed significantly to the film and music industries.

In 1996, Kamen co-founded the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, inspired by the film "Mr. Holland’s Opus," to support music education in schools. Michael Kamen passed away on November 18, 2003, in London, leaving behind a legacy of musical innovation and collaboration.