Burt Bacharach has died at the age of 94. He was an icon in the music industry – and in my house.
My dad was a musician – keyboard player – and I would stand at the piano like a little lounge singer, sipping on my scotch (milk) performing those huge Burt Bacharach hits while my dad played the piano – or, accompanied me. Dad called Burt Bacharach one of the best songwriters of that time, and I would have to agree.
But not just of that time. Probably of all time.
Bacharach is responsible for some of the biggest pop songs of a generation, and beyond. He wrote, and co-wrote with Hal David. and their work was truly magical.
Bacharach and David met at the now infamous Brill Building in New York City in 1957. The Brill Building was a pretty legendary location in the music industry. Other songwriters that worked there were Carole King (who still talks about the Brill Building often), Gerry Goffin, Neil Diamond, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (Leiber and Stoller), Laura Nyro, Neil Sedaka, Tony Orlando, Van McCoy, and many more.
Bacharach’s music is legendary. It includes B.J Thomas’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” Jackie DeShannon’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” Dusty Springfield’s “The Look of Love,” Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald’s, “On My Own” and Tom Jones’s “What’s New Pussycat? – to literally name just a few!
Bacharach and David’s biggest songs, however, were recorded by Dionne Warwick, whom Bacharach actually discovered. Those songs include “Walk On By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Promises, Promises” and more.
Dionne Warwick tweeted: “Burt’s transition is like losing a family member. These words I’ve been asked to write are being written with sadness over the loss of my Dear Friend and my Musical Partner. On the lighter side we laughed a lot and had our run ins, but always found a way to let each other know our family, like roots, were the most important part of our relationship. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, letting them know he is now peacefully resting and I too will miss him.”
Me too Dionne. He was brilliant. And his music will forever remind me of my father – and mother. Because they were a package deal. So listen to the segment below and find why the passing of Burt Bacharach touched me so much to actually swell up on the morning show.
And then check out some of my favorite Burt Bacharach songs – and some you may not know he wrote!
-Carla Rea
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