A look at the life and career of legendary composer Burt Bacharach
 |
| The legendary composer who captured the hearts of millions |
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Burt Bacharach, the legendary composer who captured the hearts of millions with his timeless melodies. With six Grammys and three Oscars to his name, Bacharach's music has left an indelible mark on the world of popular music. Jeffrey Brown takes a look at the life and career of this hitmaker known for classics such as "Walk On By," "I Say a Little Prayer," and many more.
Burt Bacharach rose to fame in the 1960s, composing a string of hits primarily for singer Dionne Warwick, often in collaboration with his long-time partner Hal David. He created a signature romantic sound that combined orchestration with pop hooks, making his music ubiquitous. His music was featured in the 1967 James Bond film "Casino Royale," and he had a number-one hit in 1968 with Herb Alpert's "This Guy's in Love With You." He also won an Oscar for his score and hit song from the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and found success on Broadway with "Promises, Promises."
Bacharach was not just known for his music, but also for his personal life, including his marriages to film and TV star Angie Dickinson. He even played himself in the "Austin Powers" Bond spoof films. Despite ups and downs in his post-'60s and '70s years, he continued making music, gaining a new following among younger generations of rock and pop musicians, including a long-standing collaboration with Elvis Costello. A box set of their recordings is set to be released next month.
In 2012, Bacharach and Hal David were honored with the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, with legends like Stevie Wonder performing some of their biggest hits. Bacharach continued to work into his 90s and passed away at his home in Los Angeles yesterday at the age of 94. This is Jeffrey Brown for the "PBS NewsHour."
0 Comments