One of the most well-known pop music composers of the 20th century, Burt Bacharach, has away at the age of 94.
Associated Press was informed of his passing by Bacharach’s publicist, who revealed that the renowned composer passed away from natural causes as a result of advancing age.
The majority of Bacharach’s compositions served as era markers for the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. In addition to writing some of the most famous movie soundtrack tunes, he also aided several musicians in breaking through to the top of the charts. More than 50 artists, including Warwick, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Costello, contributed to his career-long chart success in the US and UK.
Hal David, a songwriter, and Bacharach worked together most frequently to produce timeless successes like What The World Needs Now Is Love, I Say A Little Prayer, Walk on By, Alfie, What’s New Pussycat?, and many others. The list goes on and on.When Bacharach won the Grammy for lifetime achievement in 2008, he was praised as the “greatest living composer.” He has received three Oscars, two Golden Globes, and five additional Grammys in addition to this honor.
Bacharach was a true original who excelled in a variety of artistic mediums while also being a throwback.
He was married four times, but the relationship he had with the music he created—a passion of his that he gave himself completely to—was the one that was the strongest he had ever experienced.
Bacharach was raised in Kew Gardens, New York, despite being born in Kansas City, Missouri. Even as a young child, he had an interest in music, especially jazz.
Many people saw his music as being “easy listening” and of an outdated style. His upbeat pop tunes and jazzy, silky instrumentals defined the 1960s. Both Austin Powers and Mad Men feature his songs. Bacharach was well-known for his cameos in the Austin Powers movie series and made a noteworthy appearance in the second Austin Powers movie, singing I’ll Never Fall in Love Again alongside Elvis Costello in an open-top bus.
Most importantly, according to Entertainment Weekly, Austin Powers was inspired by the song The Look of Love while Mike Myers was traveling home from hockey practice.
“Did I reach that conclusion logically? No,” he replied in 1999 to Rolling Stone.
The national anthem of libido, “The Look of Love,” got me thinking, “Where have all the swingers gone?” and that’s how I found it.
In an interview with The Associated Press in 2018, Costello mentioned Bacharach and remarked, “The shorthand version of [Bacharach] is that he’s something to do with easy listening.
These tunes may be enjoyable to listen to, but they are everything but simple. Try giving them a go. Consider singing them.
Bacharach was going through a time of loss when he wrote some of his most memorable tunes. He lost his 40-year-old autistic daughter to suicide after four failed marriages. When she was still a child, she could sense something was wrong with her, but it took doctors thirty years to recognize she had Asperger’s syndrome. She killed herself six years later.
Bacharach’s soul was deeply affected by these difficulties, and the pain had a tremendous impact on his music.
Rest in peace. Your music, Burt Bacharach, will endure forever.
