Born Gerald Blackstone in London, England. Started composing film scores and writing lyrics (often to John Barry's music) for film in 1965 with THUNDERBALL. Other notable (non-nominated) credits include TO SIR, WITH LOVE (1967), THE PARTY and HOT MILLIONS, both 1968; DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, 1971; THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, 1974; THE DOVE, 1974; TOMORROW NEVER DIES, 1997; and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, 1999. Black was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honors List for his services to musical theater.  Music Best Song 1966: BORN FREE "Born Free" - Lyric  Nominated for Music Best Song 1969: TRUE GRIT "True Grit" - Lyric  Nominated for Music Best Song 1972: BEN "Ben" - Lyric  Nominated for Music Best Song 1974: GOLD "Wherever Love Takes Me" - Lyric  Nominated for Music Best Song 1976: THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN "Come to Me" - Lyric 5 nominations, 1 Award