Burt Bacharach: His Extraordinary Songs and Musicals
Mar 1st, 2009 by jedi317
Ask any modern singer or songwriter for a list of their influences, and you’re more than likely to see pop mastermind Burt Bacharach at the top of their list. Know best for his many hits that span the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, Burt Bacharach’s songbook is one of the best known in modern times.
Burt Bacharach was born on May 12, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri. From an early age, he showed interest in music. He studied the subject extensively at the Mannes School of Music, McGill University and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California.
Bacharach’s career began to blossom in 1957 when he joined forces with lyrical mastermind Hal David. A year later, their first big hit was recorded by Marty Robbins, entitled “The Story of My Life.” It became a number one hit on U.S. country and UK charts. The success was followed up in early 1958 with Perry Como’s hit, “Magic Moments.” Como’s song reached number four hit on American charts and number one in the UK.
Burt Bacharach and Hal David then found success writing songs for artists like Johnny Mathis, Dionne Warwick, The Drifters and Chuck Jackson in the early 1960s. Their popularity as a songwriting team snowballed as they continued to compose hit songs for many of the brightest talents of the time.