The music world mourns the loss of the talented musician, Burt Bacharach, who passed away on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles due to natural causes.
The renowned composer, known for timeless hits such as “Walk on By” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” had a long-standing career spanning several decades and numerous top 10 hits.
He was celebrated for his partnerships with lyricist Hal David, with whom he created countless memorable songs, many of which were popularized by Dionne Warwick. But, his music was also interpreted by legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, and many others.
Even the likes of Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Frank Sinatra covered his songs, and his impact has continued to be felt in contemporary music, with artists such as White Stripes, Twista, and Ashanti singing or sampling his work.
Having grown up on a blend of jazz and classical music, the eight-time Grammy winner and three-time Oscar winner was an innovative composer who left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Burt Bacharach was a two-time Academy Award recipient, winning in 1970 for his work on the score of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and for the song “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (shared with Hal David).
In 1982, he won another Oscar with his then-wife, lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, for the theme song of the film “Arthur”. He was also well known for his soundtracks in other movies such as “What’s New, Pussycat?”, “Alfie”, and the 1967 James Bond parody “Casino Royale”.
Throughout his life, Bacharach was married four times, including to actress Angie Dickinson from 1965 to 1980 and Carole Bayer Sager from 1982 to 1991. However, his most meaningful relationships were those with his work.
He was first married to Paula Stewart from 1953 to 1958, and later to Jane Hansen in 1993, whom he remained married to until his death.
He is survived by his wife Jane and his children Oliver, Raleigh, and Cristopher. Sadly, he was preceded in death by his daughter with Angie Dickinson, Nikki Bacharach.
