Legendary songwriter and composer Burt Bacharach has passed away at age 94. The producer was well-known for his role as a songwriter for superstars like Dionne Warwick and Christopher Cross. His longtime partnership with fellow songwriter Hal David produced numerous chart-topping hits in the 60s and 70s, making him an icon in those decades.
The songwriter’s publicist, Tina Brausam, announced the news yesterday. Bacharach passed away of natural causes in Los Angeles, according to the official press release. Bacharach was an impressive songwriter who managed to find success in pop music, film composition, TV work, and even as a stage composer.
A Storied Career
Bacharach’s partnership with Hal David and Dionne Warwick in the 60s and early 70s produced numerous chart-topping singles. The group’s first hit, “Don’t Make Me Over,” was based on an argument the three had when Warwick was first working with the team. This was the first in a string of unparalleled radio hits.
They released “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “This Girl’s in Love With You,” “Message to Michael,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” throughout the decade. They were matched only by the Beatles in terms of productive output and cultural importance.
A Star in Every Medium
What makes Bacharach’s career so impressive is that he wasn’t just a great songwriter for pop artists. He also won Oscars for his film scores, Emmys for his TV scores, and even earned a Tony nomination for his 1968 Broadway tune, “Promises, Promises.”
Even some of Bacharach’s early work saw him composing for film. Horror fans might remember that he composed the main theme for the 1958 film The Blob. Even after his partnership with Hal David fell apart and he stopped writing songs for Warwick, he continued to pursue a career in film and TV composing.
Remembering Burt Bacharach
Bacharach will be warmly remembered by fans due to his incredibly prolific portfolio. If you’ve ever been a fan of movies or pop songs from the 1960s, you’ve probably enjoyed a few of his compositions. He nearly singlehandedly invented the melodies that defined an entire era of music.
Interestingly enough, a box set of songs that Bacharach composed with longtime fan and collaborator Elvis Costello will hit store shelves in March. This set will even include a few unreleased recordings, which may be some of Bacharach’s final works.
