Burt Bacharach, one of the most prominent 20th century pop music composers, died at the age of 94.
Bacharach’s representative confirmed his death, telling the Associated Press that the famed composer died of natural causes owing to old age.
Most of Bacharach’s tunes spanned whole decades, including the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. He not only wrote some of the most memorable movie soundtrack tunes, but he also helped many music performers reach the top of the charts.
Over the course of his career, he had over 50 chart hits in the United States and the United Kingdom, working with musicians such as Warwick, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Tom Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Costello, among others.
Bacharach’s most frequent collaborator was lyricist Hal David, with whom he wrote timeless successes including What The World Needs Now Is Love, I Say A Little Prayer, Walk on By, Alfie, What’s New Pussycat?, and many more. The list goes on and on.
Bacharach was dubbed music’s “best living composer” when he got the Grammy for lifetime achievement in 2008. In addition to this prize, he received three Oscars, two Golden Globes, and five Grammy nominations.
Bacharach was a true one-of-a-kind artist who was both an innovator and a throwback.
He had been married four times, but the deepest link he had ever created was with the making of music, which he was completely devoted to and enjoyed doing.
Bacharach grew raised in Kew Gardens, New York, but was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Even as a toddler, he exhibited a strong interest in music, particularly jazz.
Many people described his music as “easy listening” with an old-fashioned flair. The 1960s were defined by his effervescent pop melodies and beautiful, jazzy instrumentals. Both Mad Men and Austin Powers feature his music.
Bacharach appeared in the second Austin Powers film, performing I’ll Never Fall in Love Again on an open top bus with Elvis Costello, and was well-known for his cameos in the Austin Powers film franchise.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the song “The Look of Love” impacted Mike Myers’ notion of Austin Powers while he was traveling home from hockey practice.
“Did I reach that conclusion intellectually? “Not at all,” he told Rolling Stone in 1999.
“I came up with it after hearing ‘The Look of Love,’ the national hymn of libido, and wondering, ‘Where have all the swingers gone?’”
“The shorthand version of [Bacharach] is that he’s something to do with easy listening,” Costello stated in a 2018 interview with The Associated Press.
“These tunes may be pleasant to listen to, but they are far from easy. Play with them. “Make an attempt to sing them.”
Peace be with you. Burt Bacharach, your songs will live on in perpetuity.
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