It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Burt Bacharach, one of the most famous and acclaimed composers of 20th-century pop music. Bacharach, who wrote countless chart-toppers and classic songs for major artists, died at the age of 94 earlier this year. His publicist, Tina Brausam, confirmed that the composer passed away from natural causes.
Bacharach’s music is regarded as some of the most important and influential in the history of popular music. His extensive body of work spans from the 1950s to the 1980s and includes a multitude of signature hits and iconic movie soundtrack songs. Many of his songs were written in collaboration with lyricist Hal David and became famous through the incredible talent of Dionne Warwick. Classics like “Walk On By,” “Alfie,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” are a testament to their enduring artistry.
But Bacharach’s talents weren’t limited to Warwick alone. He wrote hits for other artists as well, many of which climbed to the top of the Billboard 100 chart. Herb Alpert’s “This Guy’s in Love with You” and the Carpenters’ “(They Long to Be) Close to You” are just a few examples of Bacharach’s incredible versatility. Additionally, his composition “That’s What Friends Are For” became a hit as a charity single benefiting AIDS research.
Beyond his contributions to the world of popular music, Bacharach enriched both the stage and the screen with his memorable scores. He composed the music for the Broadway musical Promises, Promises and crafted unforgettable tunes for films like Arthur and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In fact, two of his theme songs, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” were chart-topping hits and earned Bacharach & David two Academy Awards. Bacharach also won an additional Oscar for the score of Butch Cassidy.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in Kew Gardens, New York, Bacharach’s early interest in music, especially jazz, laid the foundation for his illustrious career. He served in the US Army for two years before embarking on his musical journey.
Although his music was often labeled as “easy listening” and seemed out of place during the rise of rock ‘n’ roll, Bacharach’s buoyant pop songs and smooth, jazzy instrumentals defined the 1960s and continue to resonate with audiences today. His timeless melodies have found their way into popular television shows like Mad Men and movies like Austin Powers.
Bacharach’s immense talent was widely respected by musicians of all genres, and his songs have been covered by countless artists. Elvis Costello, a rock musician who collaborated with Bacharach, once said, “The shorthand version of him is that he’s something to do with easy listening. It may be agreeable to listen to these songs, but there’s nothing easy about them. Try playing them. Try singing them.”
Throughout his career, Bacharach received numerous accolades for his exceptional contributions to the world of music. He was the recipient of three Academy Awards, six Grammy Awards, and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which he shared with Hal David. Rolling Stone even recognized the duo as the 32nd greatest songwriters of all time.
Sadly, Hal David passed away in 2012 from a stroke at the age of 91. Today, we say farewell to another great musical talent, Burt Bacharach. His songs will undoubtedly live on forever, continuing to bring joy and inspiration to generations to come.
