‘Like losing a family member’: Dionne Warwick leads A-list tributes to Burt Bacharach after prolific songwriter of the 1960s dies aged 94
- Six-time Grammy winner Bacharach died from natural causes on Wednesday at his home in California
- Dionne Warwick, who sang a staggering 39 numbers by Bacharach, released a heartbroken statement saying: ‘Burt’s transition is like losing a family member’
- READ MORE: Burt Bacharach death: Legendary composer dies at 94
Tributes poured in Thursday for legendary composer Burt Bacharach, who has died at the age of 94 at home in Los Angeles.
Bacharach composed more than 500 songs including Say A Little Prayer and Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head, and over the course of his career was heaped with honors including six Grammy Awards.
During seven decades of work, he wrote for a string of A-list stars including Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Tom Jones, Barbra Streisand and Dusty Springfield.
Warwick, who sang a staggering 39 numbers by Bacharach, released a heartbroken statement on his death saying: ‘Burt’s transition is like losing a family member.’
The 82-year-old songstress expressed her ‘sadness over the loss of my Dear Friend and my Musical Partner’ to the Los Angeles Times.
Dearly departed: Tributes poured in Thursday for legendary composer Burt Bacharach, who has died at the age of 94 at home in Los Angeles; he is pictured in 2015 at Glastonbury
Devastated: Dionne Warwick, who sang a staggering 39 numbers by Bacharach, released a statement saying: ‘Burt’s transition is like losing a family member’; pictured 1968
Bacharach and Hal David wrote such numbers as I Say A Little Prayer, Walk On By, Don’t Make Me Over and Alfie for Warwick.
‘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,’ she declared in her statement.
‘My heartfelt condolences go out to his family letting them know he is now peacefully resting and I too will miss him,’ she added.
Michael Keaton, whose first starring role was in the 1982 film Night Shift scored by Bacharach, joined the celebrity testimonials on social media.
He posted an Instagram photo of the death announcement appearing on CNN and wrote in the caption simply: ‘Legend.’
Alec Baldwin, who once sang Bacharach and Hal David’s song What The World Needs Now Is Love on 30 Rock, wrote: ‘Rest in peace the great Burt Bacharach…’
Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson, who previously cited Bacharach as one of his prime influences, rhapsodized about the late songwriter on Twitter.
‘I’m so sad to hear about Burt Bacharach. Burt was a hero of mine and very influential on my work,’ wrote Wilson. ‘He was a giant in the music business. His songs will live forever. Love & Mercy to Burt’s family.’
Legend: Michael Keaton, whose first starring role was in the 1982 film Night Shift scored by Bacharach, led the celebrity testimonials
Mourning: Alec Baldwin, who once sang Bacharach and Hal David’s song What The World Needs Now Is Love on 30 Rock, wrote: ‘Rest in peace the great Burt Bacharach…’
Elvis Costello, who had a long professional relationship with Bacharach including the joint album Painted From Memory, shared his memories as well.
‘I first heard the songs of Burt Bacharach when my family was still living in a basement flat near Olympia in the late 1950’s,’ he wrote over a picture of the pair.
‘Never would I have imagined that my admiration for him would grow into a 25-year collaboration and friendship.’
KISS frontman Paul Stanley exclaimed: ‘Burt Bacharach… What a loss but what a treasure of amazing songs he’s left us.’
Stanley went on: ‘His work with Hal David, Carole Bayer Sager and others, share an effortless combination of simplicity & sophistication. Walk On By? That’s What Friends Are For? Alfie? This Guy’s In Love With You? WOW.’
Oasis heartthrob Liam Gallagher offered condolences as Smashing Pumpkins lead singer Billy Corgan hailed Bacharach as a ‘titan of beautiful and effortless song.’
The Pointer Sisters, who performed a string of Bacharach tunes such as Wanting Things, Where Did The Time Go and The Love Too Good To Last, released a statement on their official Twitter to mark his passing.
‘Condolences to family, friends and fans of legendary composer, Burt Bacharach. The Pointer Sisters had the pleasure of recording some of his songs,’ it said.
‘Titan’: Musical luminaries from Elvis Costello and The Pointer Sisters to Liam Gallagher, Paul Stanley and Billy Corgan showered praise on Bacharach
West End stage star Elaine Paige shared a picture of herself with Bacharach and noted how ‘Sad’ she was at the news of his death.
‘His songwriting was part of the soundtrack to my life,’ she wrote. ‘Songs such as Alfie, The Look of Love, Arthur’s Theme, Close To You & so many more including his only stage musical Promises, Promises. The angels will be singing tonight! RIP Burt.’
Susanna Hoffs, co-founder of the pop group The Bangles, shared a throwback snap of the late composer and wrote: ‘Peace and love, Burt Bacharach.’
Stephen Bishop, who collaborated with Bacharach on the song It’s Only Love, shared a heartbroken Facebook post over a picture of them together.
‘This one hurts. It’s hard to process that one of the greatest songwriters of our generation is gone. I’ll always think of Burt Bacharach as the King of Melody,’ Bishop began his lengthy message.
‘In 1981, I was given the opportunity to write a song with Burt and Carole Bayer Sager for the film “Arthur.” The song was called “It’s Only Love,” they had me do the vocals, and it’s featured on the film soundtrack. Burt, your songs are timeless. I am so honored to have known you and written a song with you.’
‘He had a hell of a ride but we’ll miss him just the same,’ tweeted comedian Sandra Bernhard, adding that Bacharach ‘left a musical legacy unparalleled his catalog from Say A Little Prayer to Walk On By To Do You Know The Way To San Jose had a groovy romantic vibe that made you fall in love over & over.’
Beloved: Beach boys icon Brian Wilson, The Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs and West End stage star Elaine Paige added their voices to the choir
Oscar-winning Bacharach wrote hits such as Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head from Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, among dozens of other numbers.
His publicist Tina Brausam said that the iconic composer had passed away on Wednesday from natural causes.
The star teamed up with Dionne Warwick in 1961 – with 39 of her chart hits written by Bacharach and lyricist Hal David.
Bacharach vowed never to retire, saying in 2018: ‘Music softens the heart, makes you feel something if it’s good, brings in emotion that you might not have felt before.
‘It’s a very powerful thing if you’re able to do it, if you have it in your heart to do something like that.’
His work was covered by Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, and more modern artists – the White Stripes, Twista and Ashanti.
Warm words: Stephen Bishop, who worked on the song It’s Only Love with Bacharach, showered praise on the music icon as did comedian Sandra Bernhard
Walk On By was covered by everyone from Warwick and Isaac Hayes to the British punk band the Stranglers and Cyndi Lauper.
He had a run of top 10 hits from the 1950s into the 21st century, and his music was heard everywhere, from movie soundtracks and radios to home stereo systems and iPods.
Bacharach was a frequent guest at the White House over the years, and was presented the Gershwin Prize by Barack Obama in 2012.
He received two Academy Awards in 1970, for the score of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and for the song Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.
During his seven-decade career, he won a lifetime achievement award and wrote for stars including Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield. Pictured: Performing with Adele at the BBC Electric Proms in 2008
Oscar-winning Bacharach wrote hits such as ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head’ and dozens of other hits
Bacharach leaves behind fourth wife Jane Hansen (pictured in 2015) and their two children, as well as a son from a previous marriage
The last photo of Bacharach was posted on his Instagram account in October of last year
Bacharach was married four times, and married actress Angie Dickinson (pictured) in 1965 – before divorcing in 1981
In 1982, he and his then-wife, lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, won Oscars for Best That You Can Do, the theme from Arthur.
His other movie soundtracks included What’s New, Pussycat?, Alfie and the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale.
Bacharach was married four times, marrying Paula Stewart in 1953, before the pair split in 1958 – but remained friends for more than three decades.
He went on to wed actress Angie Dickinson, in 1965, and the pair had a daughter, Nikki, together who committed suicide in 2007.
Bacharach divorced Angie in 1981, and then married lyricist Carole Bayer Sager in 1982 and the couple adopted Christopher Elton Bacharach before their divorce in 1991.
Bacharach married his fourth wife Jane Hansen in 1993 and they had two children together – son Oliver and daughter Raleigh.
Athlete Jane is 32 years his junior, with the couple largely remaining out of the limelight bar a few red-carpet appearances.
The ‘Say a Little Prayer’ creator composed more than 500 songs during his career – and won six Grammy Awards
The star teamed up with Dionne Warwick in 1961 – with 39 of her chart hits written by the duo
He went on to wed actress Angie Dickinson, in 1965, and the pair had a daughter, Nikki, together who committed suicide in 2007. PIctured: In 1969 with Angie and Nikki
He paid tribute to his late daughter Nikki, who went undiagnosed with autism, with the creation of ‘A Boy Called Po’.
The film depicts a young widower dad raising a son with autism, and marked his first original score in 17 years.
During the pandemic Bacharach – aged 92 – worked on a new collaboration with Nashville singer-songwriter Daniel Tashian.
The pair released a five-song EP titled Blue Umbrella in July 2020, and managed to make the time difference work.
It was Bacharach’s first album in 15 years, and he was glad to keep busy during the coronavirus pandemic.
At the time he said: ‘In these times it’s like a lifesaver.’
Born May 12, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, Bacharach began playing piano at his mother’s insistence with his love for music growing as a teen living in Queens, New York.
He had access to the nightclubs where jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker performed.
Bacharach was a frequent guest at the White House over the years, and was presented the Gershwin Prize by Barack Obama in 2012
In 1957, Bacharach began his legendary partnership with songwriter Hal David, before continuing a long working relationship with singer Dionne Warwick
In 1982, he and his then-wife, lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, won Oscars for ‘Best That You Can Do,’ the theme from Arthur
The star completed his formal music education at McGill University in Montreal, the Mannes School of Music in New York City and the Music Academy of the West in Montecito, California.
He then went on to serve in the army between 1950 and 1952 as a pianist in an officer’s club.
Soon after being discharged, Bacharach began playing with singers and musicians he met in nightclubs – and soon realized he could write songs like them.
He returned to New York to hone his signature style and said he ‘wasn’t trying to break any rules’ and that his new way of music was ‘very natural’ to him.
In 1957, Bacharach began his legendary partnership with songwriter Hal David, before continuing a long working relationship with singer Dionne Warwick.
It was a partnership that ended in disaster, after a 1973 remake of Lost Horizon failed – causing Bacharach to isolate himself in his Del Mar vacation home and refuse to work.
He was sued by Warwick and David after failing to fulfill a commitment to record the singer, but eventually reconciled with the lyricist before his death in 2012.
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