close
Friday, February 10, 2023

Pop musician Burt Bacharach is dead at 94

Bacharach died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his publicist Tina Brausam.

• February 9, 2023
Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach [Credit: LA times]

Legendary pop composer and occasional singer Burt Bacharach is dead. He was 94. 

Bacharach died on Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, according to his publicist Tina Brausam who confirmed his death, saying he died of natural causes.

His music career peaked in the sixties when he collaborated with lyricist Hal David to produce hit songs like “Raindrops keep falling on my head” and “Promises, Promises.”

Bacharach won two Academy awards for best song for “Raindrops keep falling on my head” he co-wrote with Hal David in 1970. He also won an Oscar for best original score for a nonmusical motion picture in 1969. 

In the course of his music career, Bacharach picked up seven Grammy awards in the pop category. 

In his autobiography, Bacharach claimed that as a songwriter, he has been luckier than most songwriters.

“Most composers sit in a room by themselves, and nobody knows what they look like,” he wrote. “People may have heard some of their songs, but they never get to see them onstage or on television.” Because he was also a performer, he noted, “I get to make a direct connection with people.”

“Whether it’s just a handshake or being stopped on the street and asked for an autograph or having someone comment on a song I’ve written,” Bacharach added, “that connection is really meaningful and powerful for me.”

Songwriters and music lovers have continued to pay their tributes since the news broke. Oscar-winning songwriter Dianne Warren said in a tweet that the field has “lost its Beethoven”. 

Bacharach is survived by his third wife, Jane Hansen, and their children, Oliver and Raleigh. He is also survived by his son Cristopher from his second marriage. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Politics

Buhari sad, mourns UAE leader mother-in-law’s death

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to the United Arab Emirates Presidential Court following the demise of Sheikha Maryam Al Falasi.

Professor Jeremiah Ojediran

Education

Bells praises NUC’s shutdown of all universities for elections

The Bells vice-chancellor said the university would organise online lectures during the break.

Naira and Dollars

Economy

Naira makes further gains, exchanges at N461.10 to $1

On Thursday, the naira exchanged at N461.10 to $1 at the Investors and Exporters window.

Anti-Corruption

Like vacuum cleaner, I will eliminate corruption; Buhari left mess: Tinubu

“New leaders came from 2013 to 2014; in 2015, (they) swept the dirt. But the dirt is still left on the ground. We need to sweep more.”

Atiku Abubakar at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Kano

Politics

Atiku promises to make Kano leading commercial centre

Speaking at the PDP presidential campaign rally in Kano state on Thursday, Kano said his government will make agriculture a priority”.

Türkiye, Syria earthquake

World

Death toll in Türkiye, Syria earthquake surpasses 20,000 

No fewer than 17,134 people have died in the country, while in Syria, the death toll stands at 3,317 deaths.