Legendary Songwriter Burt Bacharach Passes Away

Burt Bacharach, the master of pop songwriting known for writing hits alongside Hal David for Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters, and many more, has passed away at the age of 94.

He died of natural causes. As Spin reports, Bacharach was involved in writing 73 Top 40 hits in the US alone across over 70 years in the business. His Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers include (They Long To Be) Close To You, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, This Guy's In Love With You, Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do), and That's What Friends Are For.

Writing for Dionne Warwick, the team scored 22 Top 40 hits with classics like Walk On By, I Say A Little Prayer and Do You Know The Way To San Jose? Bacharach also composed and arranged the score for the 1967 James Bond film, Casino Royale, which featured the Springfield number, The Look Of Love. In 1965, Bacharach and Hal David penned the Tom Jones hit, What's New Pussycat?

A new youthful audience discovered Bacharach via Austin Powers, thanks to his cameo appearances in the films. 

"Burt’s transition is like losing a family member. These words I’ve been asked to write are being written with sadness over the loss of my Dear Friend and my Musical Partner," Dionne Warwick wrote on Twitter. 

She continued, "On the lighter side we laughed a lot and had our run ins, but always found a way to let each other know our family, like roots, were the most important part of our relationship. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, letting them know he is now peacefully resting and I too will miss him."

Sheryl Crow said, "One of the great thrills and honors of my life was getting to know Burt Bacharach - one of the greatest songwriters of all time. There will never be anyone like him and as a songwriter, he set the bar. Burt, you will be missed but your music will live on. My love to his family."

Seinfeld's Jason Alexander also cited Bacharach's "singular, brilliant light," and added, "I’ve savored [sic] and sung his music all my life. I could spot his songs instantly from his beloved piano and horns and his jazzy, unique beats. He left us a treasure trove of song to be cherished. Thank you, Mr. B."

"I’m so sad to hear about Burt Bacharach," Brian Wilson wrote. "Burt was a hero of mine and very influential on my work. He was a giant in the music business. His songs will live forever. Love & Mercy to Burt’s family."

Burt Bacharach and Hal David received the first-ever honour of Popular Song for a songwriting team in 2012 - the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize.

Burt’s transition is like losing a family member. These words I’ve been asked to write are being written with sadness over the loss of my Dear Friend and my Musical Partner. On the lighter side we laughed a lot and had our run ins, but

— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) February 9, 2023

Burt Bacharach is a singular brilliant light. I’ve savored and sung his music all my life. I could spot his songs instantly from his beloved piano and horns and his jazzy, unique beats. He left us a treasure trove of song to be cherished. Thank you, Mr. B. #ripBurtBacharach

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) February 9, 2023

One of the great thrills and honors of my life was getting to know @BurtBacharach - one of the greatest songwriters of all time. There will never be anyone like him and as a songwriter, he set the bar. Burt, you will be missed but your music will live on. My love to his family. pic.twitter.com/1obui0UYlt

— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) February 9, 2023

I’m so sad to hear about Burt Bacharach. Burt was a hero of mine and very influential on my work. He was a giant in the music business. His songs will live forever. Love & Mercy to Burt’s family. pic.twitter.com/yYGY3bGNSw

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) February 9, 2023

"Music breeds its own inspiration. You can only do it by doing it." - Burt Bacharach

Saddened to hear about the passing of the great American composer Burt Bacharach. Rest in peace. 🕊

📸 Pictorial Press pic.twitter.com/w5VMdguLlL

— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) February 9, 2023

I was fortunate enough to work with Burt Bacharach on his Grammy winning album, At This Time.

Listening to various stories of how he worked was such a joy.

Here he is in 1972, working out orchestrations for a the song about his late daughter, Nikki. pic.twitter.com/BPruWH2ZG0

— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) February 9, 2023

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

"Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr Burt Bacharach" pic.twitter.com/wkVax0qpr9

— The Movie Badger (@TheMovieBadger) February 9, 2023