American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor and composer, born 16 January 1948 in Carthage, New York. Director of such movies as "Assault On Precinct 13", "The Fog", "Escape From New York", "The Thing", and "Halloween", Carpenter himself composed most of the soundtracks for his films (sometimes with Alan Howarth). His father (Howard Carpenter) and son (Cody Carpenter) are also composer/musicians. He was married to actress Adrienne Barbeau from 1979 to 1984.
Note: in the eighties an LP and a series of 12"s were released with dancey versions of Carpenter's music. Though the sleeves didn't always mention it, those were recorded by The Splash Band.
If you like John Carpenter, check out these artists:
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Carpenter
November 1, 2025
The Belasco
Los Angeles, California, United States1. Over the Wall(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
3. Wake Up(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
4. Pork Chop Express
5. Vortex
6. Walk to the Lighthouse
7. The Fog: Main Title Theme
8. My Name Is Death
9. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
10. Halloween Theme - Main Title
followed by band introductions11. Last Rites
12. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. Lord of the Underground
2. Alive After Death
3. Distant Dream
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 31, 2025
The Belasco
Los Angeles, California, United States1. My Name Is Death
2. Pork Chop Express
3. Wake Up(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
4. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
5. Distant Dream
6. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
7. The Fog: Main Title Theme
8. Vortex
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Last Rites
11. Laurie’s Theme
12. Halloween Theme - Main Title
13. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. Lord of the Underground
2. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
3. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 25, 2025
The Belasco
Los Angeles, California, United States1. Intro
2. Pork Chop Express
3. The Alley
4. Julie's Dead
5. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
6. Alive After Death
7. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
8. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
9. Last Rites
10. Vortex
11. Wake Up(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
12. My Name Is Death
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. Lord of the Underground
2. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
3. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 24, 2025
The Belasco
Los Angeles, California, United States1. TV Broadcast(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
2. Wake Up(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
3. Last Rites
4. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
5. Alive After Death
6. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
7. Pork Chop Express
8. The Fog: Main Title Theme
9. Vortex
10. My Name Is Death
11. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
12. Halloween Theme - Main Title
13. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. Lord of the Underground
2. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
3. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 10, 2025
Knockdown Center
Queens, New York, United States1. Prologue - Escape from New York
2. Over the Wall(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
Live debut3. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Wake Up(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
5. Pork Chop Express
6. The Alley
Live debut7. Vortex
8. Walk to the Lighthouse
Live debut9. The Fog: Main Title Theme
10. My Name Is Death
11. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
12. Halloween Theme - Main Title
13. Last Rites
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. Lord of the Underground
New song, unreleased2. Alive After Death
3. Distant Dream
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 9, 2025
Knockdown Center
Queens, New York, United StatesFirst show since 2018
1. TV Broadcast(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
2. Wake Up(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
Live debut3. Last Rites
Live debut4. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
5. Alive After Death
Live debut6. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
7. Pork Chop Express
8. The Fog: Main Title Theme
9. Vortex
10. My Name Is Death
Live debut11. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
12. Halloween Theme - Main Title
13. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. Lord of the Underground
New song, unreleased (live debut)2. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
3. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 31, 2018
Hollywood Palladium
Los Angeles, California, United States1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Halloween Triumphant(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 21, 2018
Albert Hall
Manchester, England, United Kingdom1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Halloween Triumphant(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 19, 2018
Barrowland
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Halloween Triumphant(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
5:10 onwards13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 18, 2018
Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. The Shape Hunts Allyson(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 16, 2018
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
London, England, United Kingdom1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. The Shape Hunts Allyson(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 14, 2018
La Sirène
La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. The Shape Hunts Allyson(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 13, 2018
Sitges Film Festival
Sitges, Catalonia, Spain1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. The Shape Hunts Allyson(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 11, 2018
Salle Pleyel
Paris, Île-de-France, France1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. The Shape Hunts Allyson(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
October 10, 2018
Grote Zaal
Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Wraith
13. The Shape Hunts Allyson(John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, and Daniel Davies cover)
14. Halloween Theme - Main Title
15. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
November 19, 2017
Palace Theatre
Syracuse, New York, United States1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Wraith
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
November 18, 2017
Trocadero Theatre
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Wraith
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
November 16, 2017
Terminal 5
New York, New York, United States1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Wraith
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
November 15, 2017
Royale
Boston, Massachusetts, United States1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Wraith
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
November 13, 2017
MTELUS
Montreal, Quebec, Canada1. Escape From New York: Main Title(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
2. Assault on Precinct 13: Main Title
3. March of the Children(John Carpenter and Dave Davies cover)
4. The Fog: Main Title Theme
5. Vortex
6. Mystery
7. Coming to L.A.(John Carpenter & Alan Howarth cover)
8. Starman Leaves / End Title(Jack Nitzsche cover)
9. The Thing: Main Theme - Desolation(Ennio Morricone cover)
10. Distant Dream
11. Pork Chop Express
12. Wraith
13. Halloween Theme - Main Title
14. In the Mouth of Madness(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
1. The Coroner’s Theme(John Carpenter & Jim Lang cover)
2. Santiago
3. Darkness Begins(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
4. Christine Attacks (Plymouth Fury)(John Carpenter in association with Alan Howarth cover)
Some of John Carpenter's most popular tracks include Halloween Theme - Main Title, Halloween Theme, Night, Vortex, Laurie's Theme. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.
American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor and composer, born 16 January 1948 in Carthage, New York. Director of such movies as "Assault On Precinct 13", "The Fog", "Escape From New York",... Read the full biography on this page.
You can find John Carpenter vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.
View All Similar Artists
Follow John Carpenter
