Kirkhope also spent many years as part of 'the Big Bad Horns' which were part of UK rock band Little Angels. Kirkhope played in various bands after leaving the Royal Northern College of Music, including Zoot and the Roots along with the saxophonist Snake Davis. Kirkhope was brought up in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire from the age of five, and attended King James's School. Kirkhope taught himself to play guitar at age 11 and is classically trained in the trumpet. Kirkhope's father was an avid music fan and exposed him to early influences such as Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller. Kirkhope was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, where his mother worked as a music hall dancer. He has been nominated for various BAFTA, ASCAP, and IFMCA awards. Some of his notable works include GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong 64, and Perfect Dark, among many others. Grant Kirkhope (born 10 July 1962) is a Scottish-born English composer and voice actor for video games and film.
