Burt
Bacharach, who is among the musical giants of our
times, passed aged 94 on Wednesday.
Bacharach
scored more than 50 chart hits in the US and across the world, with artists such
as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones,
Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello, etc
Bacharach leaves behind a legacy that is hard to surpass with colossal
hits across six decades.
Bacharach was born in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri.
His family moved to New York where he grew up. His father was a sports columnist while his mother was an amateur musician and a painter.
Burt
studied the cello, drums, and piano when he was young. But his exposure to jazz at the club broadened his musical horizons.
Bacharach
also enrolled in music courses at the Mannes School of Music, in New York, and at
McGill University in Canada.
He studied under celebrated French composer Darius Milhaud, who advised him to “never ever feel embarrassed or discomforted by a melody that people can remember or whistle”.
This was a tip that Bacharach never forgot and is probably the reason for his longevity and his ability to reinvent and adapt himself to the
ever-changing world of pop music.
He
served in the US army (1950-52), and while acting as a dance band arranger in
Germany he met the singer Vic Damone.
Following
his return to civilian life, Bacharach accompanied Damone and numerous singing
artists in the Jazz club circuit.
Bacharach
received his first break in 1958, composing the soundtracks of Steve McQueen's
debut star vehicle “The Blob”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG2-ccAEcWs
But Bacharach's mainstream success was achieved by collaborating with legendary songwriter, Hal
David.
The
pair worked together in the celebrated Brill Building, which housed
dozens of musicians and songwriters during the late 50s and 60s.
Their sophisticated and charming tunes were in drastic contrast with the wild sounds of rock 'n' roll of that era, but that is what set them apart from the rest.
Their
first hit was sung and whistled by legendary crooner Perry Como. Bacharach’s melody and
whistling section was also sampled by other musicians and the track was
used in various movies and advertisements. There was something particularly joyous
about the composition.
https://youtu.be/ZZ_hWTuSYSk
Also
among their early hits was the title track of the John Wayne western “The Man Who Shot Liberty
Valance” from 1962. Strangely the lively track wasn’t used in the film. Perhaps the makers thought it was too
upbeat for the somber western.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWymh7NBy7k
Bacharach and David worked on “The Look of Love” which was performed by Dusty Springfield.
The song had a smoldering sensuality which worked effectively during
the love scenes between Peter Sellers and Ursula Andress in the underrated James
Bond parody Casino Royale from 1967l. Bacharach said the melody was inspired by
watching Andress in an early cut of the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIACRDAoBvQ
It
was even used by Steven Spielberg during a scene in Catch Me If You Can
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH0DX3lB9Hk
Diana
Krall did her rendition of the track in her album of the same name in 2001.
Bacharach and David's Anyone
Who Had A Heart in 1963, was soul legend Dionne Warwick's first hit in the US that made her a mainstream artist.
Bacharach
and David also worked on the title song of Michael Caine's "Alfie".
The track was sung by Cilla Black and topped the charts in the UK while Warwick's version topped the US
charts.
Bacharach and David collaborated on the soundtrack of 'What’s New Pussycat' starring Peter O’Toole and Peter Sellers which was based on a script by Woody Allen.
The lively title track sung by Tom Jones overshadowed the rest. It was nominated for an Oscar in 1966 for best original song. It still remains one of Jones’s greatest hits
"Here’s I am" which was another memorable track sung by Warwick from the film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIeZ4w3qpWw
Walk
On By from 1963 was another collaboration between David, Warwick, and Bacharach.
https://youtu.be/vsGsCvJWEo8
Also in 1963, Bacharach collaborated with The Beatles for 'Baby It's You'
https://youtu.be/AWUTlM6hz0g
'I
Say a Little Prayer' from 1966 told the story of a woman thinking of her lover who is on his
way to the Vietnam War. This soulful track was another successful collaboration between
Warwick, Bacharach, and David in 1966.
The
track was covered by Aretha Franklin in 1968.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDyiREoBw0o
It
received a revival upon being part of Julia Roberts's rom-com My Best
Friend's Wedding from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GLrn8JwJr0
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" once again by Bacharach and David for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid from 1969 was about a compulsive optimist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_JPDEHU1ok
It
was also covered quite magnificently by the legendary Engelbart Humperdinck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_VK-OKfe7I
Bacharach worked with Frank Sinatra for
"[They Long To Be] Close To You".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BQHjKhyoYE
Bacharach composed the title track for Arthur (1980), the hit starring Dudley Moore and Sir John Gielgud. The song by Christopher Cross won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1981.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7v7Kbws33U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOBHXxiZyZM
In
1986, Bacharach had two major hits.
“That’s
What Friends Are For” was recorded by Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder as a charitable fundraiser for Aids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnq5Az8aLpA
Then there was 'On My Own' performed by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsH63qJlIMM
In
1993, Bacharach and David reunited with Warwick for Sunny Weather Lover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-QpdlhnsWY
In
1995 he co-wrote God Give Me Strength with Elvis Costello for
Allison Anders’ film about the Brill Building era, Grace of My Heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLwyvIf-TmA
Bacharach
witnessed a resurgence following his appearances in the 60s-spoofing Austin Powers series
playing some of his greatest hits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUf_YylFQZg
His 2005 album 'At This Time' was a ruminative piece that had Bacharach collaborate with artists such as Dr. Dre, Rufus Wainwright, and Elvis Costello.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDHzBm25qeY
His autobiography, Anyone Who Had a Heart: My Life and Music, was published in 2013, and in 2015.
He never retired and continued touring past his 90th birthday, with concerts in the UK and Europe in 2018 and 2019.
Bacharach won three Oscars, two Golden Globes, and six competitive Grammy Awards, and was hailed as music's "greatest living composer" when he accepted the Grammy lifetime achievement honor in 2008.
Bacharach managed to bridge the boundaries of pop, jazz, and even classical. His music was relatable and accessible to all, yet it had the gravitas of jazz and classical music that earned him the reputation of being the Beethoven of pop. His songs while joyous had a distinctive undercurrent of melancholy.
Such
was the magic of his work that they were used and will still be used in movies,
TV shows, advertisements and so much more.
Many
of the familiar tunes that are now part of pop culture were works of Bacharach.
Bacharach's vast and eclectic body of work has left an indelible mark in the minds of millions of his listeners.
Also appears on American Thinker
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