biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1929– )
|
| biography:
| Composer, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. He played piano in a high school dance band (in Queens, New York City) and studied piano and composition at Mannes School of Music, Berkshire Music Center, and McGill University (Montreal). Drawn to popular music, he played the piano during his army service (1950–2), then worked as accompanist for Vic Damone and other singers. In 1957 he met Hal David, already a fairly successful lyricist, and they teamed up to write such hits as ‘Magic Moments’ (1957) and ‘The Story of My Life’ (1957). During 1958–61 he was musical director for Marlene Dietrich's shows, but he returned to collaborate with Hal David and during the 1960s and early 1970s their music earned singer Dionne Warwick several Grammy Awards and gold records. ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head’ (1969, Oscar Best Song) was another popular hit, while Promises, Promises (1968) was their most successful musical. In 1975 Bacharach broke with Warwick (they were reunited in 1984), Hal David, and his then wife, Angie Dickinson, but he found a new career as performer of his music on tour and television. Starting in the late 1970s he revived his career as a composer with lyricist and wife (from 1982 to 1990) Carol Bayer Sager. |
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