Burt Bacharach
Sign in to saveAmerican pianist, composer, producer (1928–2023)
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Burt Bacharach was an American pianist, composer, and producer who created some of the most popular and sophisticated pop music of the 20th century. His work matters because he shaped the sound of popular music for decades, combining complex musical arrangements with memorable melodies that appealed to millions of listeners worldwide.
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Person · Open Library
- Born
- 1928-05-12
- Died
- 2023-02-08
- Works
- 31
via Open Library + Wikidata
Film & TV
Sound · Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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…
Known for
- Burt Bacharach at the BBC — Self (archive footage)2023
- Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over — Self2021
- Herb Alpert Is... — Self2020
- What the World Needs Now: Words by Hal David — Self2019
- Burt Bacharach - A Life in Song2016
- Just Dusty: The Real Dusty Springfield — Self2009
- Wisdom2008
- All of What Follows Is True: The Making of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' — Self
Article
Burt Freeman Bacharach (/ˈbækəræk/ BAK-ə-rak; May 12, 1928 – February 8, 2023) was an American composer, songwriter, record producer, and pianist, widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music. A significant figure in orchestral pop and easy listening, he composed hundreds of songs, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David, and arranged, conducted, and produced much of his recorded output. His music often contained atypical chord progressions and time signature changes, influenced by his background in jazz, and uncommon selections of instruments for small orchestras.
Bacharach and David formed their partnership in 1956 and had their first major hits with Marty Robbins' "The Story of My Life" (1957) and Perry Como's "Magic Moments" (1958). Most of their songs were tailored for Dionne Warwick from 1961 to 1972. Beginning with Jerry Butler's "Make It Easy on Yourself" (1962), Bacharach fully directed the recordings of his songs and, following the success of these collaborations, co-authored hits for singers such as Gene Pitney, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and B. J. Thomas. He expanded into film and stage work with songs and scores for What's New Pussycat? (1965), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1968), and the Broadway musical Promises, Promises (1968). After the commercial failure of Lost Horizon (1973), his partnership with David ended, and his collaboration with Warwick was interrupted by lawsuits. He later returned to prominence through work with Carole Bayer Sager and Elvis Costello.
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1928 births2023 deaths20th-century American conductors (music)20th-century American Jews20th-century American male composers20th-century American male pianists20th-century people from California20th-century people from Missouri20th-century people from New York (state)21st-century American conductors (music)21st-century American Jews21st-century American male composers