Yesterday we lost the one of the most famous and distinctive songwriters of the last sixty years in Burt Bacharach, who passed away aged 94 of natural causes (according to his agent).
He was responsible for penning, along with partners like Hal David and third wife Carole Bayer Sager, some of the most memorable pop tunes of all time. He amassed a staggering 73 US Top40 hits and 52 in the UK, including ones like I Say A Little Prayer (Aretha Franklin), Walk On By (Dionne Warwick - and The Stranglers), Magic Moments (Perry Como) and Close To You (The Carpenters).
Bacharach was born in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of a newspaper columnist - and he grew up in New York City, where he would often as a teenager, sneak out to check out concerts by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.
He studies music - his tutor, French jazz musician Darius MIilhaud taught him lessons that would inform his songwriting forever more. He recalled that Milhaud told him, "Never be ashamed of something that's melodic, one could whistle." After a spell of military service (in Korea), Bacharach toured with Vic Damone and also Marlene Dietrich, for whom he became a personal conductor.
It's Brill!
His big break started in 1957, when he went to work at New York's legendary songwriting hit factory, the Brill Building. He began to write tunes for the likes of Gene Pitney (including 24 Hours From Tulsa) and had his first UK number one, with Michael Holliday's recording of The Story Of My Life.
Perry Como (with the Ray Charles Singers): Magic Moments - https://youtu.be/eXQTRqygi6w
He is perhaps most famous for his work with lyricist Hal David, with whom he would write over one hundred songs, including an incredible run of 39 US chart hits for Dionne Warwick, beginning with 1962's Don't Make Me Over. When the David and Bacharach relationship fell apart in the 70s, Warwick sued him for basically failing to continue to provide her with more hit records.
It's Raining Oscars
He would win the Oscar for best song twice; first for Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, performed by BJ Thomas and featuring in 1969 classic, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid; and then for 1982s Arthur's Theme, which he wrote with Peter Allen, Carole Sager and Christopher Cross. Butch Cassidy would also bag him the top award for Best Soundtrack.
Burt Bacharach: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head - https://youtu.be/ksFr8-pK3I0
His popularity waned through the 70s and into the 80s, but in 1985 he made his peace with Warwick as they joined forces for That's What Friends Are For, a charity single that raised $1.5 million for a US AIDS charity. It also featured Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight on gust vocals. His comeback continued in 1986 with On My Own, penned with wife Sager, and a number one for Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald.
Bacharach was married four times. He was married to Paula Stewart from 1953 to 58, before getting hitched to actress Angie Dickinson in 1965, which would last until 1980. The aforementioned Carole Bayer Sager became wife number three in 1982 and with whom he had a son, before Jane Hansen became his last wife in 1993 and they had two children. His adult daughter Nikki, sadly died in 2007 aged 40, taking her own life following a lifelong battle with Asperger's.
Legacy
The New York Times described his work as "Wagnerian lounger music." Dionne Warwick said of her long time collaborator, "Burt's transition is like losing a family member."
But it was perhaps Brian Wilson who summed Bacharach's impact up the best - from one musical genius to another. "Burt was a hero of mine and very influential on my work. He was a giant in the music business. His songs live forever."
Burt Bacharach & Elvis Costello - God Give Me Strength - https://youtu.be/lrcNnIV6FV8