Back in 2003, in an uptown New York City studio, a man who epitomized cool in the 1960s waited patiently for my next question. Well into his 70s but still thin and handsome, Burt Bacharach was casually dapper in his contrasting sweater and polo shirt.
Centered on 1998’s timeless Painted From Memory, this new compilation showcases the songwriters’ unlikely collaboration and the malleable and enduring songs that emerged from it.
Bacharach, who died Feb. 8, wrote hits in the '60s and early '70s with longtime collaborator Hal David. We listen to a 2010 interview with them, and a '98 interview with Bacharach and Elvis Costello.
The influential songwriter and composer Burt Bacharach died Wednesday. Bacharach began his long, fruitful career in the early 1950s, working as a pianist for popular artists such as Vic Damone and Steve Lawrence. He met lyricist Hal David in 1957 and the two embarked on a decades-spanning partnership, resulting in many beloved hit songs. Following.