Legendary ’80s video game composer Ben Daglish passes away

Thanks for the memories

Ben Daglish, composer of a slew of amazing tunes for ’80s home computer titles, has passed away at 52, due to complications from lung cancer. Daglish may not be a name instantly recognised by some young video game fans today, but his body of work was the soundtrack to many gaming youths throughout the 1980’s.

British-born Ben Daglish composed the music for multiple titles on the Commodore Amiga, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum. Working within the limitations of the day, Daglish excelled in getting the very best out of the very least, crafting memorable tunes for C64 releases The Last Ninja, 720, Gauntlet, Switchblade, Death Wish III, Cobra and Techno Cop, among others.

In later years, Daglish would perform in various bands, including collective “Press Play on Tape” with fellow SID chip legend Rob Hubbard. Tributes have been paid to Daglish on social media by his fans and industry peers. Llamasoft’s simply called Daglish an “Amazing talent and an absolutely lovely bloke with it”.

On a personal level, it’s been 30 years since I first heard many of these tunes, but I can recall them as instantly today as I could back in 1988. Ben Daglish’s work will be indelibly etched in video gaming history. We at Destructoid offer our condolences to his friends and family.