Dionne Warwick
About
Biography
Filmography
Notes
Founded the Warwick Foundation's Fund (for AIDS education and Pediatric AIDS care)
Biography
As the voice of some of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's best songs in the 1960s, Dionne Warwick became a pop icon of the era, with a cool, classy style and plenty of pure vocal power. She was born Marie Dionne Warrick (a record label error eventually inspired a permanent spelling change) in Orange, New Jersey on December 12, 1940. Before beginning her solo career, Warwick sang with The Drinkard Singers, a family gospel group that at various points included her mother, grandparents, aunt Cissy Houston, and other relatives. She also sang with The Gospelaires, who later became The Sweet Inspirations. Their sideline in providing backup vocals for pop records led Warwick to the mainstream pop scene. She came to the attention of composer/producer Burt Bacharach while singing on a Drifters record, and was invited to sing on demos of Bacharach and David's songs. This led to her signing with Scepter Records as a solo artist, under the production/songwriting wing of Bacharach and David. Her first single, 1962's "Don't Make Me Over," was also Bacharach & David's first visit to the Pop Top 40. Warwick's well schooled voice was the perfect match for the songwriting team's sophisticated-but-infectious material, and they enjoyed a long string of hits together that came to define '60s pop. "Walk On By," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," and "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" are just a few of the many smashes Warwick scored with Bacharach and David. But in the early '70s, the songwriting duo split up, leaving Warwick to fend for herself. Her career suffered, though she did subsequently score two big hits in the '70s: 1974's "Then Came You" with The Spinners, and 1979's "I'll Never Love This Way Again." In 1982, Warwick returned to the Top 10 with the help of The Bee Gees, who wrote her hit single "Heartbreaker." And three years later she had the biggest smash of her career with "That's What Friends Are For," fittingly co-written by Bacharach. For much of the '90s, Warwick had a strange sideline as a TV infomercial host for the Psychic Friends Network, but she never abandoned performing and recording, remaining active through the 2010s.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Writer (Special)
Producer (Special)
Music (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Music (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1961
During summer break from college, rejoined The Gospelaires to sing backup for doo-wop group The Drifters; discovered by songwriter Burt Bacharach
1962
Released solo debut <i>Presenting Dionne Warwick</i>; included hit single "Don't Make Me Over"
1964
Solidified international music career with "Walk On By," composed by Burt Bacharach
1967
Earned first certified gold album with <i>Here Where There Is Love</i>, featuring theme song to "Alfie"
1967
Recorded "I Say a Little Prayer," one of her signature collaborations with songwriters Bacharach and Hal David
1968
Accomplished huge commercial success worldwide with "Do You Know the Way to San Jose"
1969
Feature acting debut, drama feature "Slaves"
1974
Released first U.S. No. 1 single "Then Came You"
1979
Renewed popularity with Barry Manilow produced ballad "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
1980
Hosted music countdown show "Solid Gold" (Syndicated)
1985
Joined all-star lineup for successful charity single "We Are the World"
1985
Recorded AmFAR benefit single "That's What Friends Are For" with Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder
1990
Produced and hosted musical variety show "Dionne and Friends"
1991
Hosted infomercials for Psychic Friends Network alongside psychic Linda Georgian
2004
Released first holiday album <i>My Favorite Time of the Year</i>
2005
Honored by Oprah Winfrey at the media mogul's "Legends Ball"
2011
Appeared on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice"; competed for charity The Hunger Project
Family
Bibliography
Notes
Founded the Warwick Foundation's Fund (for AIDS education and Pediatric AIDS care)
