KWXY Presents ● The Music of Burt Bachararch

Burt Bacharach / Publicity Photo - A&M Records December 31, 1981

Today on KWXY Presents, we celebrate the birthday of composer, bandleader, arranger, conductor, record producer, and songwriter, Burt Bacharach.

Bacharach’s 70-year career of composing elegant melodies has entertained millions for decades. The Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winning songwriter helped compose timeless singles like "What the World Needs Now Is Love," "Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head", "Walk on By," and "I Say a Little Prayer."

Burt Freeman Bacharach was born May 12, 1928. He was a composer, songwriter, record producer, pianist, and occasional singer who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of 20th-century popular music.

Starting in the 1950s, Bacharach composed hundreds of pop songs, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David. In 2012, Burt was presented the Gershwin Prize by Barack Obama, and in 2015, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Bacharach and David at number 32 for their list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.

Over 1,000 different artists have recorded Bacharach's songs. Most of Bacharach and David's hits were written specifically for and performed by Dionne Warwick, from 1957 to 1963, the composing duo worked with Marty Robbins, Perry Como, Gene McDaniels, and Jerry Butler.

After the initial success of these collaborations, Bacharach wrote hits for singers such as Gene Pitney, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, and B. J. Thomas.

Burt Bacharach: Reach Out / station album cover / A&M Records released 1967

Burt Bacharach wrote seventy-three U.S. and fifty-two UK Top 40 hits. Some of those that topped the Billboard Hot 100 include "This Guy's in Love with You" (Herb Alpert, 1968), "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" (Thomas, 1969), "(They Long to Be) Close to You" (the Carpenters, 1970), "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" (Christopher Cross, 1981), "That's What Friends Are For" (Warwick, 1986), and "On My Own" (Carole Bayer Sager, 1986). His accolades include six Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, and one Emmy Award.

In the 1970s, Bacharach and his then-wife Angie Dickinson appeared in several television commercials for Martini & Rossi beverages, and Bacharach even penned a short jingle ("Say Yes") for the spots. He also occasionally appeared on television/variety shows such as The Merv Griffin Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and many others.

In the 60s, 70s, and 80s, Burt Bacharach’s music was heard everywhere from vinyl records to radio, to theatrical productions, and numerous movie soundtracks.

Bacharach also had cameo roles in all three Austin Powers movies, inspired by his score for the 1967 James Bond parody film Casino Royale. Writer and producer Mike Myers said the first film in the series, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), was partially inspired by the song "The Look of Love". Burt also contributed to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach October 1972 from ABC Television special "Burt Bacharach Special"

Burt Bacharach’s was of the most accomplished pop music composers of the 20th century, and his place in American music history will not be forgotten.

KWXY Presents ● “The Music of Burt Bacharach” today at 5pm hosted by Louie Comella, on KWXY Music Radio 92.3FM ● 1340AM ● streaming at kwxy.com and ivoxradio.com