Burt Bacharach - Songwriters, Career and Childhood
Burt Bacharach's Personal Details
Burt Freeman Bacharach is a legendary American composer, songwriter, singer, pianist, and record producer
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | May 12, 1928 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Musicians, Pianists, Conductors, Composers, Lyricists & Songwriters, Songwriters |
| City/State | Missouri |
| Spouses | Angie Dickinson, Carole Bayer Sager |
| Known as | Burt F. Bacharach, Burt Freeman Bacharach |
| Childrens | Cristopher Bacharach, Lea Nikki Bacharach, Oliver Bacharach, Raleigh Bacharach |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Kansas City |
| Height | 173 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Bertram M. Bacharach |
| Mother | Irma M. Bacharach |
| Sun Sign | Taurus |
| Born in | Kansas City |
| Famous as | Pianist, Composer, Songwriter |
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Burt Bacharach's photo
Who is Burt Bacharach?
Burt Freeman Bacharach is a legendary American composer, songwriter, singer, pianist, and record producer. He earned six Grammy Awards and three Oscars for some of his remarkable musical pursuits like ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head’. Distinctive nature of music of this seasoned composer is marked with atypical chord progressions influential of his jazz harmony background and the striking and unique way he chooses instruments for small orchestras. Counted among greatest composers of the 20th century popular music, Bacharach composed and wrote many of his hits during his long-time collaboration with lyricist Hal David. This duo became first song-writing team to win Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2012. Many of their hits were sung by Dionne Warwick among other artists. As a songwriter 73 of his songs found place in the US Top 40 list and 52 in the UK Top 40 list as of 2014. His collaborative efforts as composer/songwriter that topped Billboard Hot 100 include ‘On My Own’, ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head’ and ‘The Look of Love’. A noted figure of ‘easy listening’, Bacharach has also strongly influenced chamber pop and Shibuya-kei.
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Childhood & Early Life
He was born on May 12, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, US in the Jewish family of reputed syndicated newspaper columnist Mark Bertram "Bert" Bacharach and amateur painter and songwriter Irma M. (née Freeman). He was raised in Forest Hills, Queens.
His mother made him learn the piano as a child; however after attaining teenage he developed interest in jazz. He attended Forest Hills High School and graduated in 1946. He often visited the 52nd Street nightclubs using fake ID and listened to bebop musicians like Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. Their style would later impact his work as song-writer.
He earned Bachelor of Music degree from Montreal's McGill University in 1948 and also studied music from Music Academy of the West and Mannes School of Music. At one point he came under tutelage of Darius Milhaud who he considers his biggest influence. He penned down a ‘Sonatina for Violin, Oboe and Piano’ under guidance of Milhaud.
Career
He had a stint with the US Army following which he remained associated with famous American singer Vic Damone as a pianist and conductor for three years. He also played same role for other singers like the Ames Brothers, Polly Bergen and Paula Stewart (later his first wife). At times he would also work with singers like Joel Grey at resorts in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
He rose to prominence while working as arranger and conductor of nightclub shows of the Lola-Lola famed German-American movie star and vocalist Marlene Dietrich. He was recommended to the diva by composer Peter Matz in 1956. He intermittently toured worldwide with Dietrich till the early 1960s and also worked as her part-time music director. Their association of around five years ended when Bacharach expressed his wish to concentrate full-time on song-writing.
He met lyricist Hal David at the Brill Building in New York City in 1957 that initiated a writing endeavour between them. Their big break came that year with the song ‘The Story of My Life’ written by them and sung by US country singer Marty Robbins. The song peaked atop the US country chart for four weeks and ranked #15 in the Billboard Top 100 chart.
British crooner Michael Holliday recorded a cover version of ‘The Story of My Life’ that climbed atop the UK Singles Chart in February 1958. The song was replaced by yet another song written by Bacharach and David with music by the former titled ‘Magic Moments’ and recorded by Perry Como in 1957 for RCA Records. With such feat Bacharach and David became the first lyricists to spawn two consecutive chart topping UK singles.
He discovered Dionne Warwick in 1961 (who later became famous singer, actress and television show host). At that time she was working as a session accompanist. Her professional recording debut happened in 1962 with the hit song ‘Don't Make Me Over’ written and produced by Bacharach and David.
Bacharach’s first opportunity to execute overall recording process of one of his own songs came when singer Jerry Butler assigned him to record ‘Make it Easy on Yourself’ written by him and David. The song released in 1962 and became quite popular.
The continuing success of their early collaborative efforts led Bacharach and David to get into a writing partnership in 1963.
In the ensuing years Bacharach and David spawned several songs particularly for Warwick to perform which emerged as popular hits. Some of them include ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ (1964), ‘Walk On By’ (1964), ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ (1967) and ‘Do You Know the Way to San Jose’ (1968).
Meanwhile in 1965 his debut solo album ‘Hit Maker! Burt Bacharach Plays His Hits’ released through Kapp Records label. It failed to garner much attention in the US, however climbed at #3 on the UK album charts. His later albums include ‘Woman’ (1979) and ‘At This Time’ (2005). The latter won him the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album in 2006.
He signed with A&M Records as an artist in 1967 and recorded both new stuffs and re-arrangements of his popular songs for them till 1978.
With time he bolstered his presence by writing hits for several artists like the Carpenters, Tom Jones, B. J. Thomas, Dusty Springfield and Gene Pitney. He would produce, arrange and conduct most of his recorded output.
Over the years he gave music for many films like ‘After the Fox’ (1966), ‘Casino Royale’ (1967) and ‘Lost Horizon’ (1973). Poor performance of ‘Lost Horizon’, the songs of which were written by Bacharach and David, resulted in a rift between the two leading to termination of their years-long thriving partnership. They however briefly reunited in 1975 and wrote and produced some records.
Meanwhile he won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album in 1969 for his work on the 1968 musical ‘Promises, Promises’. Bacharach and David wrote and produced the song ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head’ for the American Western film ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ (1969). The song fetched the duo Academy Awards and a Grammy award.
He shared the Academy Award for Best Original Song along with Carole Bayer Sager, Christopher Cross and Peter Allen for co-writing ‘Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)’, from the blockbuster hit 1981 American comedy film ‘Arthur’. He married Carole the following year and co-wrote some hits with her including ‘Making Love’ (1982), ‘Heartlight’ (1982) and ‘On My Own’ (1986).
The 1985 cover version of the song ‘That's What Friends Are For’ written by Bacharach and Carole and performed by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1986.
He collaborated with Elvis Costello and released album ‘Painted from Memory’ through Mercury Records on September 29, 1998. Its tracks ‘I Still Have That Other Girl’ earned the two a Grammy Award for ‘Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals’ that year.
He has made several on-screen appearances including in television shows like ‘The Merv Griffin Show’, ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’; in television commercials including for Martini & Rossi beverages; and in all the three Austin Powers films (1997, 1999, 2002).
An honorary Doctorate of Music was conferred to him by Berklee College of Music in 2009.
Personal Life
He married four times. The first one was with American actress Paula Stewart from December 22, 1953 to 1958.
He then married American actress Angie Dickinson on May 15, 1965, which ended in divorce on August 4, 1981. Their daughter Nikki who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome committed suicide at age 40 in 2007.
He was then married to American lyricist, singer-songwriter, painter and author Carole Bayer Sager from April 3, 1982 to July 11, 1991. They adopted a son Christopher.
He also has a son, Oliver, and daughter, Raleigh from his fourth wife, Jane Hansen whom he married in 1993.
He published an autobiography ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ in 2013.
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Burt Bacharach's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Academy Awards(Oscars) | ||
| 1982 | Best Music, Original Song | Arthur (1981) |
| 1970 | Best Music, Original Song | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) |
| 1970 | Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical) | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) |
Golden Globe Awards | ||
| 1982 | Best Original Song - Motion Picture | Arthur (1981) |
| 1970 | Best Original Score | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) |
Primetime Emmy Awards | ||
| 1971 | Outstanding Single Program - Variety or Musical - Variety and Popular Music | Singer Presents Burt Bacharach (1971) |
ASCAP Film And Television Music Awards | ||
| 1991 | Most Performed Feature Film Standards | Arthur (1981) |
| 1988 | Most Performed Feature Film Standards | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) |
Grammy Awards | ||
| 1999 | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Winner |
| 1970 | Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) |
Burt Bacharach biography timelines
- // 12th May 1928He was born on May 12, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, US in the Jewish family of reputed syndicated newspaper columnist Mark Bertram "Bert" Bacharach and amateur painter and songwriter Irma M. (née Freeman). He was raised in Forest Hills, Queens.
- // 1946His mother made him learn the piano as a child; however after attaining teenage he developed interest in jazz. He attended Forest Hills High School and graduated in 1946. He often visited the 52nd Street nightclubs using fake ID and listened to bebop musicians like Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. Their style would later impact his work as song-writer.
- // 1948He earned Bachelor of Music degree from Montreal's McGill University in 1948 and also studied music from Music Academy of the West and Mannes School of Music. At one point he came under tutelage of Darius Milhaud who he considers his biggest influence. He penned down a ‘Sonatina for Violin, Oboe and Piano’ under guidance of Milhaud.
- // 22nd Dec 1953 To 1958He married four times. The first one was with American actress Paula Stewart from December 22, 1953 to 1958.
- // 1956He rose to prominence while working as arranger and conductor of nightclub shows of the Lola-Lola famed German-American movie star and vocalist Marlene Dietrich. He was recommended to the diva by composer Peter Matz in 1956. He intermittently toured worldwide with Dietrich till the early 1960s and also worked as her part-time music director. Their association of around five years ended when Bacharach expressed his wish to concentrate full-time on song-writing.
- // 1957He met lyricist Hal David at the Brill Building in New York City in 1957 that initiated a writing endeavour between them. Their big break came that year with the song ‘The Story of My Life’ written by them and sung by US country singer Marty Robbins. The song peaked atop the US country chart for four weeks and ranked #15 in the Billboard Top 100 chart.
- // Feb 1957 To Feb 1958British crooner Michael Holliday recorded a cover version of ‘The Story of My Life’ that climbed atop the UK Singles Chart in February 1958. The song was replaced by yet another song written by Bacharach and David with music by the former titled ‘Magic Moments’ and recorded by Perry Como in 1957 for RCA Records. With such feat Bacharach and David became the first lyricists to spawn two consecutive chart topping UK singles.
- // 1961 To 1962He discovered Dionne Warwick in 1961 (who later became famous singer, actress and television show host). At that time she was working as a session accompanist. Her professional recording debut happened in 1962 with the hit song ‘Don't Make Me Over’ written and produced by Bacharach and David.
- // 1962Bacharach’s first opportunity to execute overall recording process of one of his own songs came when singer Jerry Butler assigned him to record ‘Make it Easy on Yourself’ written by him and David. The song released in 1962 and became quite popular.
- // 1963The continuing success of their early collaborative efforts led Bacharach and David to get into a writing partnership in 1963.
- // 1967 To 1978He signed with A&M Records as an artist in 1967 and recorded both new stuffs and re-arrangements of his popular songs for them till 1978.
- // 3rd Apr 1982 To 11th Jul 1991He was then married to American lyricist, singer-songwriter, painter and author Carole Bayer Sager from April 3, 1982 to July 11, 1991. They adopted a son Christopher.
- // 1985 To 1986The 1985 cover version of the song ‘That's What Friends Are For’ written by Bacharach and Carole and performed by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1986.
- // 1993He also has a son, Oliver, and daughter, Raleigh from his fourth wife, Jane Hansen whom he married in 1993.
- // 29th Sep 1998He collaborated with Elvis Costello and released album ‘Painted from Memory’ through Mercury Records on September 29, 1998. Its tracks ‘I Still Have That Other Girl’ earned the two a Grammy Award for ‘Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals’ that year.
- // 2009An honorary Doctorate of Music was conferred to him by Berklee College of Music in 2009.
- // 2013He published an autobiography ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ in 2013.
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Burt Bacharach's FAQ
What is Burt Bacharach birthday?
Burt Bacharach was born at 1928-05-12
Where is Burt Bacharach's birth place?
Burt Bacharach was born in Kansas City
What is Burt Bacharach nationalities?
Burt Bacharach's nationalities is American
Who is Burt Bacharach spouses?
Burt Bacharach's spouses is Angie Dickinson, Carole Bayer Sager
Who is Burt Bacharach childrens?
Burt Bacharach's childrens is Cristopher Bacharach, Lea Nikki Bacharach, Oliver Bacharach, Raleigh Bacharach
What was Burt Bacharach universities?
Burt Bacharach studied at McGill University, Mannes College The New School for Music, McGill University
What was Burt Bacharach notable alumnis?
Burt Bacharach's notable alumnis is McGill University, McGill University
How tall is Burt Bacharach?
Burt Bacharach's height is 173
Who is Burt Bacharach's father?
Burt Bacharach's father is Bertram M. Bacharach
Who is Burt Bacharach's mother?
Burt Bacharach's mother is Irma M. Bacharach
What is Burt Bacharach's sun sign?
Burt Bacharach is Taurus
How famous is Burt Bacharach?
Burt Bacharach is famouse as Pianist, Composer, Songwriter