Renowned composer and songwriter Burt Bacharach, who composed the theme for the 1967 spoof of Casino Royale, has died.
Today it was announced that music icon Burt Bacharach died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles. The Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer was the genius behind some of the most beloved tunes of the 20th century.
Bacharach was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1928, where he was trained as a pianist and arranger. His career spanned over six decades, and his work has been featured in films, television shows, and concerts around the world.
From classic hits like What’s New Pussycat?, Alfie, and I’ll Never Fall in Love Again to works like Dionne Warwick’s Walk on By and Neil Diamond’s Heartlight – Bacharach’s compositions have earned him revered recognition in the music industry.
Even more than his own music, Bacharach will be remembered for inspiring a generation of songwriters and composers. His influence can be heard in the music of those he mentored, such as John Barry, and those he collaborated with, such as Elvis Costello. He also worked closely with lyricists such as Hal David and Carole Bayer Sager to create timeless standards that will continue to captivate future generations. His music will ensure his memory lives on.
The 1967 version of Casino Royale features a soundtrack composed by Bacharach with Hal David providing the lyrics. The instrumental title theme was performed by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and featured a samba-style beat with trumpet, percussion, and brass instruments.
The soundtrack also features The Look of Love performed by Dusty Springfield, which went on to become one of the most popular tracks from the film. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is known for its jazzy, upbeat feel and the melody is instantly recognizable. It has since been covered by many artists and continues to be heard in popular culture today.
