Burt Bacharach: a life in 10 dates

Feb 11, 2023 11:59 AM

PARIS (AFP) - A look back at some key dates in the life of composer Burt Bacharach, who died Wednesday aged 94.

- May 12, 1928: born in Kansas City, in the US state of Missouri, grows up in New York City. His father is a top newspaper columnist.

- 1956: joins Marlene Dietrich as her musical director on her cabaret act around the United States and Europe.

- 1957: teams up with lyricist Hal David with whom he writes most of his top hits.

- 1961: meets singer Dionne Warwick who becomes the headline performer for the duo.

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 27, 2015 US composer Burt Bacharach performs on the Pyramid Stage on the second day of the Glastonbury Festival of Music and Performing Arts on Worthy Farm near the village of Pilton in Somerset, south west England. - Legendary pop composer Bacharach, who produced a string of hit songs over decades, has died in Los Angeles at age 94, US media said on February 9, 2023. His publicist said Bacharach, who worked with stars such as Dionne Warwick and wrote hits including "Walk on By" and "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," died of natural causes. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

- 1965: in the second of four marriages, he ties the knot with actress Angie Dickinson. They have one daughter, Nikki. The couple divorce in 1980.

- 1970: wins Oscar for best score in film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and for best song, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head".

- 1982: scoops another golden statuette for best song, "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)".

- 2005: releases first solo album since 1970s, with guest collaborators including Elvis Costello, Rufus Wainwright and Dr. Dre. Wins one of his six Grammy Awards for it.

- 2007: suffers family tragedy when daughter Nikki, who was born with autism, commits suicide age 40. He has three other children.

- February 9, 2023: dies in Los Angeles of natural causes.

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