Composer Burt Bacharach has died at the age of 94. The songwriter is best known for being behind classic pop songs including I Say A Little Prayer and Walk On By.
Bacharach died surrounded by relatives at his home on Wednesday, his publicist confirmed. His family have requested privacy following his death.
The songwriter and pianist wrote hits for artists including Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Sir Tom Jones and the Carpenters, many with his long-standing lyricist Hal David, who died in 2012 aged 91.
Springfield was one of his best-known collaborators, producing a series of hits that are still well-played today, including The Look Of Love. He also composed What’s New Pussycat? and Promise Her Anything for Sir Tom.
Bacharach's successful career spanned eight decades and he was nominated for 21 Grammy Awards, winning six. He was also a three-time Oscar winner, receiving two Academy awards in 1970 for his original score for Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid and for Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head.
In 1982 he and his then-wife, lyricist Carole Bayer Sager, won the Oscar for Best That You Can Do from Arthur. In 2008 he was proclaimed music’s “greatest living composer” as he accepted the Grammy lifetime achievement award.
More recently Bacharach developed a songwriting partnership with Elvis Costello, the British new wave singer-songwriter, and they were due to release a compilation of their published songs from the last 30 years in the coming months.
Tributes have been pouring in for the musician. The Kinks' Dave Davies said: "Very sad day, probably one of the most influential songwriters of our time. He was a great inspiration. Rest in peace Burt Bacharach."
Tim Burgess, lead singer with The Charlatans described him as "one of the greatest songwriting legacies in the history of ever". He added: "Farewell Burt Bacharach, you were a king."
Theatre star Elaine Paige posted a photo of her and the composer, writing alongside it: "Sad to hear of the death of Burt Bacharach. His songwriting was part of the soundtrack to my life. Songs such as Alfie, The Look of Love, Arthur's Theme, Close To You & so many more including his only stage musical Promises, Promises. The angels will be singing tonight! RIP Burt."
Former BBC journalist Simon McCoy said: "A little bit me just died. RIP Burt Bacharach. He wrote the soundtrack to my life. Never meet your heroes, they say. Not true in his case. His songs will live for ever."
Singer Rick Astley tweeted: "We use the term ‘Legend’ too often but in the case of Burt Bacharach it’s the only word that fits. RIP Burt, your gorgeous music will live on forever."
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