Bacharach and Hal David were the recipients of the 2012 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The prize is awarded to musicians whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwin’s. Bacharach and David received the Library’s Gershwin Medal in May, 2012 at an all-star tribute in Washington, D.C.

It’s a tough time,” he explained midway through. “Whatever your side is, they are tough times in America. And working helps me – it may sound a cliché, but music really helps,” he stated, introducing a couple of new songs written (and on the night performed) by young American artist Melody Federer.

Burt Bacharach is one of the world's most acclaimed, award-winning composer/songwriters. His music is as diverse as his audiences, spanning generations and continents, as he is celebrated both as a pop culture icon and one of the world’s greatest contemporary composers. Bacharach composed his first film score in 16 years for John Asher’s autism-based drama film Po. The film was released in April, 2016. Po tells the story of a recently widowed father struggling to raise his 10-year-old son who has autism. If you want to pay a tribute to a man of the highest level in music business you should respect him and treat him that way! Bacharach’s latest album with Boyzone lead singer Ronan Keating “When Ronan Met Burt,” was released in March, 2011 and hit #3 in the UK charts.

A recipient of three Academy Awards and eight Grammys (including the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award and 1997 Trustees Award with collaborator Hal David) he revolutionized the music of the 1950s and 60s. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is the recipient of other tributes received from top music industry institutions to governments, universities and charitable and philanthropic groups. A living music legend took to the stage of the Royal Festival Hall this weekend. Burt Bacharach performed a superb two-hour concert, combining an equal mix of his era-defining pop music, film scores and a few new pieces. Joss Stone, Alfie Boe, Josie James and Shaun Escoffery were brilliant, Burt looked quite emotional after Shaun's rendition of "A House is not a Home" Pointing straight away to the heartening power of music, soul gem What the World Needs Now opened the concert. Sporting a Bacharach England jersey, the singer-songwriter reflected during the night on some of his biggest successes: the first film score, the talented friends and the funny events of one of his 60s singles. Mexican Divorce, written with Bob Hilliard for The Drifters, couldn’t be played in any radio stations at the time in the States because of the reference to the breaking of marriage vows. “If you think this happened before they built that beautiful wall…” Bacharach couldn’t stop himself from giggling. The slow swinging rendition of this piece beautifully singled out the acoustic component of the guitar. Rebecca Ferguson, Micheal Kiwanuka, Laura Mvula, Sophie Ellis Bextor...they tried it....but in my opinion not good enough!nowmedical wrote:Agreed, Joss Stone stole it. The guests are certainly B-list, and none are of particular relevance to Burt. Interesting to compare with the US equivalent concert "One Amazing Night" which also used some lesser stars (Chrissie Hynde, Ben Folds Five) but also brought in some heavyweights - (Sheryl Crow and Luther V), and then Dionne and Elvis C who of course have personal BB connection. In 2017, a new musical production of Bacharach and David’s hit musical Broadway PROMISES, PROMISES which ran at the Southwark Playhouse in London from January-February, 2017. Even Justin Hayward did his best but his voice is a little bit to light for a song like What The World Needs Now! Thank you BURT for those incredible songs that you has given the world....and to Hal with his great lyrics and all the other collaborators of you!