Legendary composer of American music history: Who is Burt Bacharach?
Bacharach had been one of the most successful songwriters in the history of popular music for over 70 years in the music industry. Collaborating artists included Tom Jones, the Carpenters, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, and Cilla Black.
Considered the pioneer of lounge pop and easy listening, Bacharach's melody and chords drew attention with their catchy structures and surprisingly complex undertones.
Bebop and Big Bands brought jazz compositions to pop music
Having studied jazz, Bacharach brought progressive compositions of bebop and big band music to the pop world.
After serving briefly in the military, Bacharach served as arranger and bandleader for such stars as Vic Damone and Marlene Deitrich. The composer never made any connection with pop music until the age of 30. Becoming friends with Hal David in New York, their bond eventually developed into a lasting musical partnership.
Burt Freeman Bacharach (May 12, 1928 – February 8, 2023) was an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist who is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music. Starting in the 1950s, he composed hundreds of pop songs, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David. Bacharach's music is characterized by unusual chord progressions and time signature changes, influenced by his background in jazz, and uncommon selections of instruments for small orchestras. He arranged, conducted, and produced much of his recorded output.
Bacharach and David found their most consistent collaboration with singer Dionne Warwick, with whom Bacharach worked for over 40 years. Bacharach, David, and Warwick over the years "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Walk on By", "Anyone Who Had a Heart", "Do You Know the San Jose Road?'", "Alfie ' and 'I Say a Little Prayer'.
He has written more than 70 hits and 50 hit songs in the UK during his career. Bacharach, who won 6 Grammys and 3 Oscars, received his last three awards for his music in the movies Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid and Arthur. Bacharach has also done a number of notable works in film and television, including the Analyze This and Austin Power series.