Bacharach, Burt
[key], 1928–2023, American composer, arranger, and conductor, b.
Kansas City, Mo. He began his career playing piano with jazz bands in the
1940s and then as a pianist and arranger for nightclub acts, notably with
Marlene Dietrich in the
1950s. With lyricist Hal David, Bacharach produced many popular songs from
the late 1950s to the early 1970s, including more than 50 top singles. These
include “Don't Make Me Over,” “What the World Needs
Now,” “Walk On By,” and “Do You Know the Way to
San Jose.” The team also provided words and music for the successful
Broadway musical Promises, Promises (1968) and the film
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969; Academy
Award). The partnership ended in 1973, and Bacharach began working with
lyricist Carole Bayer Sager in 1981 (they married the following year). The
two scored a big hit with their song “That's What Friends Are
For” in 1986. Bachrach has also written soundtracks for later films,
e.g., Arthur (1981; Academy Award), Grace of My
Heart (1996, with rocker Elvis Costello), and Austin
Powers (1997). Bacharach's music utilizes a variety of styles,
including Latin, rock, and gospel, and is marked by unexpected chord
changes.
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