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Toby Canham / Getty Images
Hal David in Hollywood on Oct. 14.
Hal David, who along with partner Burt Bacharach penned dozens of top 40 hits for a variety of recording artists in the 1960s and beyond, has died. He was 91.
David died of complications from a stroke Saturday morning in Los Angeles, according to Jim Steinblatt, spokesman for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. David was a longtime member and former president of ASCAP.
Bacharach and David wrote many timeless tunes, including "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," "Close to You" and "That's What Friends Are For." They churned out hit music for movies, television and recording artists.
Earlier this year the duo received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during a White House tribute concert attended by President Barack Obama.
David, a native of Brooklyn, New York, began his songwriting career in the late 1940s by collaborating with writers he had met at Manhattan's famed Brill Building, which at the time was the center of the pop industry.
He started working with Bacharach in the late 1950s and their songs were recorded by such artists as Frank Sinatra, Marty Robbins, Tom Jones and Barbra Streisand.
The singer most associated with the songwriting duo is Dionne Warwick, who rose to fame by scoring a number of Top 10 hits in the 1960s with material from David and Bacharach.
Bacharach's and David's song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head" was written for the 1969 movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and won the Academy Award for Best Song.
The duo's other hits included "What the World Needs Now Is Love," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," and "(They Long to Be) Close to You," which is best known from a version by the Carpenters.
As The New York Times points out, such questions as “What’s New Pussycat?” (from the film of the same name) and “What Do Get When You Fall in Love?” also entered the lexicon courtesy of David and Bacharach.
David and Bacharach parted ways in the early 1970s. David went on to work with other composers. With Albert Hammond, he wrote the hit "To All the Girls I've Loved Before."
Songwriter Paul Williams, president and chairman of ASCAP, said in a statement that David was "simple, concise and poetic."
"It is no wonder that so many of his lyrics have become part of our everyday vocabulary and his songs ... the backdrop of our lives," Williams said.
David served as president of ASCAP from 1980 to 1986.
His parents were immigrants from Austria. His older brother, Mack David also achieved success in music by composing or co-writing a number of songs, including the 1944 "Candy" and the English version of Edith Piaf's "La Vie En Rose."
David is survived by his wife, Eunice, and his sons, Jim and Craig, three grandchildren and two stepsons.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press and Reuters.
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Leave a Comment:
That little blip article wasn't enough about this songwriter's contributions to his field. No one cares about the Obama award, why do you have to politicize everything in favor of Obama you idiots?
The Library of Congress wasn't started by Obama nor the Gershwin Prize. He just went there because he appreciated the accomplishments of this great man. Nothing political, it is just that people want to know what the most powerful man in the world is doing. A down moment for enjoyment is certainly earned by our President.
On it -
This is very true. I just feel that President Obama has ruined his reputation and lost the respect of many because he is too often seen schmoozing and pandering to the elitists. It is difficult to take him seriously when he presents these awards. I wonder whether he is truly humbled by his role or just basking in the glory of being in the limelight. When honoring humble men of true accomplishments, I want to know that this is 100% about them, not the president's ego.
One of the most brilliant ~!! ""One Less bell To Answer", "A House Is Not A Home", "Do You Know The Way To San Jose">>>>>endless brilliant works - As a piano/singer/entertainer - I just played a Bacharach medley last night and the the room was totally singing along.....I will be playing and singing Hal and Burt's tunes tunes tonight and always ~~~~~ Wonderful contributions - Thank you Hal.
"Raindrops Keep Falling on My head "" was a cool song. I remember our band fronting a concert with B.J.Thomas singing that hit song. And, then, two years later, I played bass and tuba on Spike Jones Jr.'s version of Raindrops. Only played on Dr. Demento's radio show on Sunday night, but it was fun to hear it on radio. Yeh, "A House is Not a Home" is just a great song. Played that many times.
Are you the Kevin CAvanaug from Baltimore?
I play in San Diego from Grand Rapids Michigan
WorldTravel07,Loved BJ Thomas and Dr Demento.
I met Hal David and his wife in their home in Los Angeles many years ago. Since I was much younger then, Mr. David commented that I probably am not familiar with his work. I replied, "Oh but I AM familiar and it is a great honor to meet you!" He smiled. I remember both he and his wife as being very gracious people.
I agree with the aforementioned comment posted by Cheryl Meril. Hal David deserves much greater recognition for his contributions to his field. He has always been overshadowed by Burt Baccarach. Still he was so gracioous about it all.
STOP POLITICIZING THIS IN FAVOR OF OBAMA. Obama is such a narcissist that he does not deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with Mr. Hal David. They are polar opposites.
May your soul rest in peace Hal. You will be missed.
Everything on the MSNBC website to going to be Pro Obama. They are in bed with CNN.
Oh, stop this!! It is a sad time for Mr. David's family, and its YOU folks that are politicizing this. The award has been given for years, during many Presidential Administrations to many deserving people. It just so happens that Mr. David got it in THIS one. The article does not make a "big thing" out of it, just a mention as it was done this year, sadly right before his death, so give it a rest and give Mr. David the respect he was due for earning the award and the music that has enriched all of our lives. You people are the most ridiculous folks in the world. Shame on you, shame on you, SHAME ON YOU for making it more than it is during a man's death and mentions of his vast accomplishments, down to his last. For goodness sake --- you terrible, terrible, myopic folks. RIP Mr. David, and condolences to your family.
Mandi-7882: I agree with your comment, and I apologize to Mr. David and his family for my Obama outburst.
I have great respect for Mr. David and I do not wish to offend him or his family.
You should be ashamed and in the future do us all a favor and just shut up!
The Hal David / Burt Bacarach songs were certainly among the best of the past 50 years. He will be missed.
On a side note, it is interesting to see that Fox News left in four positive paragraphs about the President in their edit of this story. One might even conclude that was 'fair and balanced.'
That's because Fox News IS 'fair and balanced.'
Hal David along with Burt Bacharach created some of the most memorable songs associated with many of the great artists of our time. The song book of Dionne Warwick is exclusively their pen.... from Walk On By, Alfie, Do You Know The Way To San Jose.....to the classic Carpenters Song: Close To You and....the immortal, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.... GREAT STUFF
I am glad that Hal David was honored by our President. What a tragedy that in an OBITUARY notice that Tea Party types would desecrate Hal David's memory with political mess.
REST IN PEACE..... Hal David..... You and your great lyrics will live on forever
Did your article say that Hal David wrote "That's What Friends Are For" with Burt Bacharach? I knew just at soon as Lester Holt said it that it wasn't right.
Burt Bacharach wrote "That's What Friends Are For" with Carole Bayer Sager.
Why dosen't NBC get its facts right?
Hal David wrot so many terrific songs, its a shame not to mention one of the ones he DID write when presenting his obituary.
Sad.
Yeah, I was a little confused by that at well. While I adore Burt Bacharach, not all of Hal David's great work was dependent on him.
Since the tribute was at the White House of course the President was going to be there. Not only have you made disparaging comments about Obama but you have completely disrespected an article about an outstanding performer. And for those of you that commented on the original comment shame on you as well. Hal David was an outstanding artist and to expound on a simple matter of fact, the President was in attendance, about an event that honored him is very petty and small minded.
Obama did indeed attend the event. I'm not a fan of his, but he was very gracious, and seemed to very much enjoy the music being played (it's shown on PBS). Actually, Hal David was unable to attend because he was ill.
Rest in peace Hal David.i loved every song that you and Burt Bacharac wrote especially for Dionne Warwick.I enjoyed many listening hours as a teen to his lyrics.
I've always loved his songs, so beautiful, wonderful. He was a musical icon , esp back in the 60s & 70s. Sad, but he lived a long & full life, gave many happy moments to millions of music-lovers, left us a great legacy. RIP
All the songs I've loved so much he wrote, helped write, even his brother with "Candy" in the forties. His songs marked memories attached to them as all good composers do. My sympathy to his wife and family.
I think Mr. David and Mr. Bacharach wrote some of the most beautiful songs ever. Especially the ones that Dionne Warwick sang. Their collaboration and her voice made the magic that made the songs come to life.
To the President Obama haters, if you have to spew your venom, do it on another blog! This blog is a tribute to Mr. David, not a place for anybody to unload their politics.
Peace.
To Hitchiker -
I've seen your comments before on various sites and you could also do us a great favor by just shutting up.
Doesn't freedom of speech just tick you off when it's not your opinion?????
Freedom of Speech does not cover vicious name calling, rage and hate. Those things come under the heading of- Personality Disorders and Dysfunctional Behavior. Even a high school Intro to Psychology course teaches that. Many people manage to disagree without resorting to ranting and raving. For such comments to show up on an Obituary of a Great Song Writer only highlights the evident emotional problems of hate writers- no matter their politics. The best thing to do is ignore them; without the attention they seek, they will find the site to boring to continue visiting. Although, I must admit; they are so irritating it is not always an easy thing to do.
To Hal David; Thank you sir for so many happy and moving songs. Rest in Peace!