Legendary songwriter and composer Burt Bacharach has died

The sad news this afternoon is that songwriter, composer and performer Burt Bacharach has died aged 94.

During his illustrious career, he won six Grammy awards, three Oscars and numerous other accolades for his work on Broadway. The arsenal of instantly recognisable hits he either wrote himself or with Hal David includes 'This Guy's In Love With You', 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head', 'Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)', 'What's New Pussycat?', 'Alfie' and '(They Long To Be) Close To You', which was covered by among others The Cranberries.

Among those who helped him clock up a whopping seventy-five US Top 40 singles were Dusty Springfield, Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Tom Jones, Gene Pitney, B.J. Thomas, Bobbie Gentry and Herb Alpert – and that's just for starters.

"So sorry to hear of the passing of Burt Bacharach," says one of this numerous musical admirers, Gilbert O'Sullivan. "He along with Hal David were and still are a huge influence on my songwriting career. Not a week goes by without me putting on a Bacharach collections CD. Timeless melodies never to be forgotten."

This was accompanied by a photo of the Waterford hitmaker sitting at a baby grand with Burt and Bette Midler.

Burt enjoyed a close relationship with Elvis Costello with whom he recorded 1998's lauded Painted From Memory album. They also guested together on Austin Powers: The Spy That Shagged Me performing 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again'.

Hot Press has fond memories of the July 2019 night he lit up Dublin's Iveagh Gardens with his timeless songbook. Before that, he played four July 2000 shows in the National Concert Hall with his ensemble where the devotion to Burt was again religious-like.

Here's a selection of the tributes from across the musical spectrum including such Irish admirers as CMAT, Undertone Paul McLoone and Fat Lady Sings leader Nick Kelly:

I’m so sad to hear about Burt Bacharach. 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. Love & Mercy to Burt’s family. pic.twitter.com/yYGY3bGNSw

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) February 9, 2023

rip burt bacharach . really paved the way for people like me to write timeless musical classics that work in any context while still being really hot and good looking

— cmat (@cmatbaby) February 9, 2023

One of the greatest songwriting legacies in the history of ever. Farewell Burt Bacharach, you were a king pic.twitter.com/c5FCijQWb9

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) February 9, 2023

Ah, where does one even start? R.I.P. Burt Bacharach. pic.twitter.com/Lfl5pB82Pv

— Paul McLoone (@PMcLoone) February 9, 2023

How sad that Burt Bacharach has passed away, I loved his music more than any other composer. R.I.P. and thanks for the hours of pleasure listening and playing your very special music pic.twitter.com/co5Ey2RdIl

— Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) February 9, 2023

No one thought of blending oboes and castanets and clavichords (and maybe Mariachi horns, why not) before Burt Bacharach. He was an absolute original, and his music a wonderful gift to all of us. https://t.co/co2BGnKAP0

— bob stanley (@rocking_bob) February 9, 2023

RIP BURT BACHARACH X

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) February 9, 2023

Peace and love, Burt Bacharach. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/phUcaESSwV

— Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) February 9, 2023

Very sad day, probably one of the most influential songwriters of our time. He was a great inspiration . Rest in peace Burt Bacharach #burtbacharach https://t.co/BgZaJAk5qQ

— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) February 9, 2023

RIP Burt Bacharach . one of the greatest songwriters of all time who found the finest lyricists to match his elegant ,sophisticated , beguiling , intensely beautiful melodic and harmonic skill . Every song a winner . what a loss to the songwriting world and to all of us

— DavidGArnold (@DavidGArnold) February 9, 2023

RIP Burt Bacharach https://t.co/TJj5YlkqkH

— Fountains of Wayne (@fountainsofwayn) February 9, 2023

Farewell to one of the greatest people in music history, I cannot emphasize enough how much Burt Bacharach's music has meant to me throughout my whole life...RIP ❤️https://t.co/ylWH31oblM

— Kelly-Anne Byrne (@KellyAnneByrne2) February 9, 2023

I just heard the news that @BurtBacharach passed away. It's hard to process. One of the greatest songwriters of our generation is gone. I’ll always think of Burt Bacharach as the King of Melody. His songs are timeless. I am so honored to have known you + written a song with you. pic.twitter.com/YmUuwyFZSe

— Stephen Bishop (@BishSongs) February 9, 2023

Sad to hear of the passing of Burt Bacharach. So many timeless songs. His music I play every day in my car. Wonderful songs written with Hal David. RIP Mr.Bacharach

— Phil Campbell (@MotorheadPhil) February 9, 2023

Burt Bacharach. A genius. If you’ve not heard Painted From Memory , his collaboration with Elvis Costello, I highly recommend it. One of my favorite albums.

— Maureen Van Zandt (@MVZaGoGo) February 9, 2023

I was lucky enough to meet Burt Bacharach years ago @NCH_Music - graciousness personified. A few years after, his own croaky singing of “The Look Of Love” towards the end of his wonderful set @glastonbury had me in floods. What a brilliant man and body of work. RIP and thank you.

— nick kelly (@nickgestation) February 9, 2023