Sadly, pop music lost another legendary figure over the holiday weekend. Songwriter Hal David (at right) died at the age of 91 September 1, 2012 following complications from suffering a stroke. Along with Burt Bacharach, he was part of one of the most successful pop songwriting teams of all time. This past spring the pair received the George Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Burt Bacharach, age 83, attended the celebration and accepted the award, but Hal David was ill and unable to attend. While Burt Bacharach wrote the music, Hal David wrote the words.
Both songwriters have written successful material with others. However, it is their work together that is best remembered. Among their achievements were the Academy Award winning smash hit "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," and the #1 hits "(They Long To Be) Close To You" by the Carpenters, and "This Guy's In Love With You" by Herb Alpert. Other truly memorable songs from their catalog include "What the World Needs Now Is Love," "Walk On By," and Academy Award nominee "Alfie." Hal David and Burt Bacharach ended their songwriting partnership in the early 1970's, but they left an amazing legacy. Check below for the best of their work.
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Photo by Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images
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