Burt Bacharach who has died aged 94
(Picture: AP)Composer Burt Bacharach, whose orchestral pop style was behind hits like I Say A Little Prayer, has died aged 94.
The Oscar-winning songwriter, who often worked with lyricist Hal David, penned classics including Walk On By, The Look of Love and Do You Know The Way to San Jose?
He died at home in Los Angeles of natural causes on Wednesday, his publicist Tina Brausam said.
Over a 70-year career he rivalled songwriting legends including Carole King and Lennon and McCartney as the ultimate creator of the perfect pop song.
Many of his songs became hits for Dionne Warwick but they were sung by everyone from Elvis Costello to Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin.
Warwick said his death was “like losing a family member”.
The 82-year-old singer said: “These words I’ve been asked to write are being written with sadness over the loss of my Dear Friend and my Musical Partner.
“On the lighter side we laughed a lot and had our run ins but always found a way to let each other know our family-like roots were the most important part of our relationship.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to his family letting them know he is now peacefully resting and I too will miss him.”
He originally wrote I Say A Little Prayer for Warwick and her version became a hit but was soon superseded by Franklin’s cover which is regarded as one of the greatest pop performances ever.
Among those paying tribute was Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess who described Bacharach as “a king” and posted a clip of Franklin performing I Say A Little Prayer.
One of the greatest songwriting legacies in the history of ever. Farewell Burt Bacharach, you were a king pic.twitter.com/c5FCijQWb9
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) February 9, 2023
Noel Gallagher also paid tribute, sharing a photograph of the songwriter on Instagram, captioning it: “RIP Maestro. It was a pleasure to have known you.”
Bacharach learned his trade in Tin Pan Alley in New York - the heart of the US music business - where every aspiring songwriter worth their salt gathered to swap ideas and look for the next big hit.
His tuneful work was sometimes dismissed as easy listening - but one of his many co-writers Costello denied the charge.
The singer, who recorded the 1998 album Painted from Memory with him, said: “The shorthand version of him is that he’s something to do with easy listening.
RIP Maestro. It was a pleasure to have known you. NGX pic.twitter.com/prDA0n4CzW
— Noel Gallagher (@NoelGallagher) February 9, 2023
“It may be agreeable to listen to these songs, but there’s nothing easy about them. Try playing them. Try singing them.”
Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall wrote: “Farewell Genius”.
The public - and the critics - agreed and his songs sold millions of copies. He also won eight Grammy Awards and three Oscars including for the score of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and for the song Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.
His other movie soundtracks included What’s New, Pussycat?, Alfie and the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale.
Farewell Genius.. RIP #BurtBacharach pic.twitter.com/cBifd5j2nf
— Simply Red (@SimplyRedHQ) February 9, 2023
He was not afraid to laugh at his reputation as a purveyor of smooth pop - sending himself up with a cameo appearance alongside Mike Myers in one of the Austin Powers films.
He grew up in New York listening to classical music and jazz which were both obvious influences on his work.
He later described hearing greats from Dizzy Gillespie to Count Basie in Manhattan clubs where he would sneak in with a fake ID.
Writing in his memoir, Anyone Who Had A Heart, he said: “They were just so incredibly exciting that all of a sudden, I got into music in a way I never had before.
“What I heard in those clubs turned my head around.”
In the 21st century, he was still testing new ground, writing his own lyrics and recording with rapper Dr. Dre.
He was married to his first wife, Paula Stewart, from 1953-58, and married for a fourth time, to Jane Hansen, in 1993. He is survived by Hansen, as well as his children Oliver, Raleigh and Cristopher, Brausam said. He was preceded in death by his daughter with Dickinson, Nikki Bacharach.
