Remembering Burt Bacharach (1928-2023) - {Marriage to Angie Dickinson w/interview}

One of the best and most influential music composers and orchestrators of the second half of the twentieth century, Burt Bacharach, has died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles. He was 94.

This is the second of a two part tribute to Mr. Bacharach... we focused more upon his music and legacy in part one, and with this video tribute, we'll take a quick look at his personal life, and his time with wife Angie Dickinson, during a special time in both their lives when they became one of Hollywood's most well liked and successful couples, and welcomed daughter Nikki into their lives.

Background info -
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Burt Bacharach, along with his music partner and lyricist Hal David, helped write the sound track to the life and times of the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Their hit pop music appealed to a wide audience, with complex and sophistical melodies and often heart breaking lyrics of longing and love lost. Over the decades, Bacharach received eight Grammy Awards (and 21 nominations), including those with partner Hal David, but later in the 1980's as well (Arthur's theme and 'That's What Friends Are For'), with music-partner and spouse Carol Bayer Sager.

The list of Bacharach-David top hit songs of that late 1950s to early 1970s era is memorable and almost endless - from hit songs sung by Dionne Warwick: Walk on By, Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie, I Say a Little Prayer, Promises Promises; to songs sung by BJ Thomas: Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head; to songs sung by Tom Jones: What's New Pussycat?, Casino Royale; to songs sung by Dusty Springfield: The Look of Love, A House is Not a Home; to songs sung by Jackie DeShannon: What the World Needs Now; to songs sung by Herb Alpert: This Guy's in Love With You; to songs sung by The Carpenters (They Long to Be) Close to You; to songs sung by The 5th Dimension: One Less Bell to Answer. Endless great music.

The great music crossed into films as well, as the Bacharach-David combo produced Academy Award Oscar nominations for What's New Pussycat? (1965), Alfie (1966), Casino Royale (The Look of Love -1967) and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head -1969/Oscar winner).

Bacharach-David also received a Tony nomination and a Grammy for the score of Neil Simon's Promises, Promises, which debuted on Broadway in 1968.

That decade of the 1960s saw Burt Bacharach become a household name, as both his professional life and his personal life gained great attention and success. His marriage to actress Angie Dickinson in 1965 made the two one of Hollywood's most glamorous and well liked couples.

Bacharach began his career as a performer/pianist during the Korean War, when he was drafted into the army, sent to Germany, and toured Army bases and performed with singer (and equally young) Vic Damone, who was also drafted into service. After service, Bacharach studied music at various universities and schools, and toured again with Vic Damone, and became Marlene Dietrich's conductor and arranger when she toured. He made his way to New York City, met Hal David, and the two worked in the Brill Building (Tin Pan Alley) along with other up and coming songsmith teams such as Gerry Goffin and Carole King.

When asked a few years ago in an interview what he would most like to be remembered for, Bacharach said: "I was a good father... to have kids that late in life, everything shifts - the who value and importance that they bring to life and the values in it."

Mr. Bacharach is survived by his wife Jane Hansen (as well as former wives Angie Dickinson and Carol Bayer Sager), and children Oliver and Raleigh, and son Christopher (from marriage to Bayer Sager). He is preceded in death by daughter, Nikki, from marriage to Angie Dickinson.

This video clip is presented here on YouTube for the entertainment and informational value of the viewer, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Rest in peace Mr. Bacharach. And thank you.