One of the most well-known pop music composers of the 20th century, Burt Bacharach, has away at the age of 94.
Bacharach’s publicist broke the news of his demise to the Associated Press, stating that the celebrated composer passed away from age-related natural causes.
The majority of Bacharach’s songs span several decades, including the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. In addition to penning some of the most recognizable movie soundtrack songs, he also aided other musicians in becoming number one hits. Along with musicians like Warwick, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Costello, he amassed more than 50 chart hits in the US and the UK during his career.
Most frequently, Bacharach worked with lyricist Hal David to produce timeless songs like I Say A Little Prayer, What The World Needs Now Is Love, Walk on By, Alfie, What’s New Pussycat?, and many more. There is an infinite list.When Bacharach won the Grammy for lifetime achievement in 2008, music fans praised him as the “greatest living composer.” He has received three Oscars, two Golden Globes, and five additional Grammy awards in addition to this honor.
Although he was married four times, his relationship with music creation—to which he was totally devoted and enjoyed—was the strongest one he had ever had.
Although Bacharach was raised in Kew Gardens, New York, he was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He had an interest in music, particularly jazz, even as a young youngster.
His music was regarded by many as “easy listening” and traditional. The 1960s were defined by his upbeat pop tunes and mellow, jazzy instrumentals. Mad Men and Austin Powers both feature his songs. Bacharach was well-known for his cameos in the Austin Powers film series and made a noteworthy appearance in the second Austin Powers movie, where he performed I’ll Never Fall in Love Again with Elvis Costello on an open-air bus.
Most importantly, Entertainment Weekly claims that as Mike Myers was driving home from hockey practice, the song The Look of Love shaped his perception of Austin Powers.
Did I come at that conclusion logically? No, he said in 1999 to Rolling Stone.
“I came to it by thinking, ‘Where have all the swingers gone?'” after hearing the national hymn of libido, “The Look of Love.”
Regarding Bacharach, Costello stated in a 2018 interview with The Associated Press, “To put it simply, people associate him with easy listening.”
While listening to these tunes may be pleasant, they are by no means simple. Give them a go. Sing them if you can.
While going through a period of mourning, Bacharach was penning some of his most memorable tunes. He lost his 40-year-old autistic daughter to suicide following four unsuccessful marriages. Even as a young child, she sensed something wasn’t right, but it took the medical community thirty years to identify her Asperger’s syndrome. She killed herself six years later.
Bacharach’s music was profoundly impacted by the sorrow these tragedies caused him to feel in his spirit.
Peace be with you. Songs by Burt Bacharach will always be remembered.
