Harold Faltermeyer

Harold Faltermeyer's style of electronic scoring was only popular for a brief time, and yet his approach is a great influence on fellow German Hans Zimmer. A protege of electronic musician Giorgio Moroder, Faltermeyer first hit it big with Beverly Hills Cop and its popular "Axel F" theme. Scores for films like Fletch and The Running Man followed, but his most famous and lasting piece of music is his immortal anthem to Top Gun. Faltermeyer and guitarist Steve Stevens created a simple yet rousing tribute to the thrills of flying, not to mention to the sight of Val Kilmer trying to hold his stomach in. Unfortunately, the rest of the score doesn't match up to the anthem (which actually isn't used in the film that much). Tango and Cash in 1989 was in many ways his swan song, as he didn't score a major film until Kevin Smith's Cop Out (which was basically Faltermeyer paying homage to his 80s scores anyway).

Tango and Cash

Top Gun