Dionne Warwick Pays Tribute to Legendary Songwriter Burt Bacharach | Feels Like "Losing a Family Member"

Burt Bacharach died on February 8 at the age of 94. He was one of the greatest songwriters pop music has ever seen. For his good friend, Dionne Warwick, his loss feels like losing a family member. 

"Burt's transition is like losing a family member. These words I've been asked to write are being written with sadness over the loss of my dear friend and my musical partner," Warwick, 82, said in a statement on Twitter.

"On the lighter side, we laughed a lot and had our run-ins, but always found a way to let each other know our family, like roots, were the most important part of our relationship. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, letting them know he is now peacefully resting and I too will miss him," she added.

Warwick worked with Bacharach on her hit Don't Make Me Over, which was released in 1963. In 2019, Bacharach opened up to PEOPLE about his friendship with Warwick, who he called a "tremendous musicality." He had said that "she had a voice that was like glass; it was so clean, it was so pure and so distinctive, and you could immediately know it was Dionne."

Bacharach died of natural causes on February 8 at his home in Los Angeles, his publicist Tina Brausam told the Associated Press. 

Several other musicians have also paid tribute to the Grammy-winning producer. Tony Bennett shared a vintage photo of Bacharach sitting at a piano on Twitter. He began his tribute with Bacharach's words, "'Music breeds its own inspiration. You can only do it by doing it.'" He added, "Saddened to hear about the passing of the great American composer Burt Bacharach. Rest in peace."

Sheryl Crow also shared a photo on Twitter with the musician and Warwick along with one of herself and the musician alone. "One of the great thrills and honors of my life was getting to know @BurtBacharach - one of the greatest songwriters of all time," she wrote. "There will never be anyone like him and as a songwriter, he set the bar. Burt, you will be missed but your music will live on. My love to his family."

Brian Wilson wrote on Twitter that he was "so sad" to hear about his death. "Burt was a hero of mine and very influential on my work. He was a giant in the music business. His songs will live forever," he added. "Love & Mercy to Burt's family."

Actress Kristin Chenoweth quoted one of Bacharach's musical compositions and wrote on Twitter, "What do you get when you fall in love? Burt Bacharach," she wrote. "How I will miss him."

Seth MacFarlane also took to Twitter and called Bacharach "one of the last great classic composers/songwriters." He added, "So many timeless tunes that will continue [to] endure for many years to come."

For, Paul Stanley, who also wrote on Twitter, his death was a "loss," but the music he left behind is a "treasure." 

James Gunn reflected on a time he saw the musician live and wrote on Twitter, "Seeing Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello at the Universal Amphitheater in 1998 might have been my favorite live music experience ever," he wrote. He added, "Burt was THE consummate songwriter; I'm so grateful for what he gave us during his time here on earth. Much love to his family & friends."

References:

https://people.com/music/burt-bacharach-dead-dionne-warwick-stars-pay-tribute/

https://apnews.com/article/burt-bacharach-dead-at-94-c1526b7c1b9b4389b17a3e657676b391

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Vince Bucci