Burt Bacharach had always been a favorite composer of mine for a number of decades. His heyday will always be the decade of the 1960s, when he found his niche to express music in a different sort of way. Such, as you know, was evident in his songwriting. During the '60s, particularly the latter part of the decade, Burt was very prolific as a composer and arranger, and he was the busiest musician in that day. He was an innovator, using frequent modulations and unconventional time signatures and putting different phrasings together. Many cats in the business, including Brian Wilson and Jimmy Webb, cite Burt as one of their big influences. And that he was able to write, produce, and perform
for as long as he has speaks volumes about Burt and his longevity, not to mention his reach. A mix of different generations have all been exposed, in one form or another, to Burt's music. And he's been able to roll with all the changes in pop music, and the industry in general, through the years. So many songs, and so many hits. I've even liked his rare or obscure tracks more so than his bigger hits.
Rest in peace, Burt. Thanks a million times over for your brilliance, your innovation, your differentness, and for fresh emotion in pop music.
You've always had peer, but there is no equal. We will miss you!
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In Memoriam: Burt Bacharach (1928 - 2023)
