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Composer Burt Bacharach dies aged 94

The American musician composed more than 500 songs during his career
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

15.16 9 Feb 2023


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Composer Burt Bacharach dies a...

Composer Burt Bacharach dies aged 94

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

15.16 9 Feb 2023


Share this article


Burt Bacharach, one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century, has died aged 94.

The American musician composed more than 500 songs during his career and was behind hits like I Say A Little Prayer, Walk On By, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, and Do You Know The Way To San Jose.

He had written for stars including Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield and Cilla Black.

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Bacharach won six Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and three Oscars during his seven-decade career.

Earning comparisons with American greats George Gershwin and Cole Porter, Bacharach started his career as a songwriter in the early 1950s, working with Hollywood star Marlene Dietrich, before forging a professional relationship with lyricist Hal David in 1957.

But it was when Bacharach and David met Dionne Warwick in 1961 that their talents really took flight, with 39 of her chart hits written by the pair.

Burt Bacharach with Dionne Warwick Burt Bacharach with Dionne Warwick. Picture by: Album / Alamy Stock Photo

Performing in concerts around the world late into his career, Bacharach had fans across the generations thanks to a resurgence of lounge music in the 1990s.

Remixes and samples of his work kept him in the public consciousness long after he stopped turning out the hits, as did Hollywood's use of many of his tunes as soundtracks to their movies.

Despite being crowned 'the king of easy listening', his fans would argue his use of mixed meters and complex melodies made his compositions far from 'easy'.

Later collaborations with stars as diverse as Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello and Dr Dre proved that Bacharach never went out of fashion.

Reporting by: IRN

Main image: Burt Bacharach is seen in 1975. Picture by: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

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Burt Bacharach Dionne Warwick Elvis Costello Grammys Hal David I Say A Little Prayer Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head Sheryl Crow Walk On By

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