- In 2004, a new rule for the Academy Awards that disallowed film scores, which contained work from previous films resulted in the score to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) being ineligible for submission to the Academy. The new rule proved very unpopular with both Academy members and the general public - and had it been present in years past, would have invalidated many other nominated scores, such as the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" sequels. Because of the debacle, the Academy returned to its original position for future years' films.
- Was inspired by Richard Wagner; in particular his Ring of the Nibelung cycle of operas; in composing his scores for the Lord of the Rings films. One exception to this was the Shelob's Lair scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), in which Peter Jackson told him to "go off and pretend you're making another movie for David Cronenberg. This should sound like The Fly (1986)!".
- He and Danny Elfman have both formed hit bands (The Blues Brothers and Oingo Boingo, respectively). Both scored a film for Tim Burton (Shore scored Ed Wood (1994) and Elfman has scored numerous Burton films). Both scored a film for Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Frighteners (1996), respectively). Finally, both scored a Hannibal Lecter film (The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Red Dragon (2002), respectively).
- Helped Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi to organize the first incarnation of the Blues Brothers Band.
- Has composed the scores for four Academy Award Best Picture winners: The Silence of the Lambs (1991), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), The Departed (2006) and Spotlight (2015).
- Since 1979, he has scored all but one (The Dead Zone (1983)) of director David Cronenberg's theatrical films. Cronenberg is also from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Oscar winners Shore (score) and Michael Semanick (sound re-recording mixer) have cameos as Rohan Guards in the extended edition DVD of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). They join in the victory celebration at the Golden Hall and are prominent in the scenes featuring Legolas and Gimli's drinking game. They are the two guards right behind Legolas the elf. (Chapter 5, "Return to Edoras").
- Was the first Musical Director of the original incarnation of the band from Saturday Night Live (1975). Shore and future SNL producer Lorne Michaels first met as teenagers at summer camp in Canada, where they put on shows, including their own musical/comedy show called 'The Fast Show'.
- Was a member of the horn section in the Canadian band Lighthouse in the early 1970s.
- Has scored two of the three sequels that have won Best Picture. The first was The Silence of the Lambs (1991), the sequel to Manhunter (1986). The second was The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), the final film in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, (2001-2003) trilogy.
- Coordinated with Hollywood Bowl conductor John Mauceri for national performances of his "The Lord of the Rings Symphony" in six movements.
- Attended Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Uncle of composer Ryan Shore.
- Third winner of the Life Achievement Kilar Award, of FMF Krakow Film Music Festival, named after late composer Wojciech Kilar, in 2017.
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