Combination of Her Emotional Style has Led to a Memorable String of Hits Was there a new wave of R&B singers leading the way in 1964? The growi
Combination of Her Emotional Style has Led to a Memorable String of Hits
Was there a new wave of R&B singers leading the way in 1964? The growing fan base of the slim, svelte, and talented Dionne Warwick might support this notion.
Hailing from East Orange, N.J., Warwick shares a common foundation with many R&B-inspired pop artists—her roots in the church. Yet her sophisticated delivery and the material she performs set her apart. Her songs, primarily crafted by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, are a departure from traditional R&B, reflecting a refined, pop-oriented sensibility. Bacharach and David, known for hits like “Wives and Lovers” and “Love with the Proper Stranger,” have also brought their dramatic style to Maxine Brown, another talented R&B singer with a polished sound akin to Warwick’s.
Dionne cites influences such as Nancy Wilson, whom she admires for her vocal elegance, and Etta James, whom she believes is underappreciated. Among newer artists, Dusty Springfield earns her praise as an exceptional talent. Warwick notes that Bacharach and David are also writing for Springfield, whose rendition of “Wishin’ and Hopin'” was a standout.
Recently, Warwick achieved the rare honor of being a featured singer at the Cannes Film Festival. Just two years ago, she was singing gospel with her family group, the Drinkard Singers, recording for Savoy Records. Her transition to pop came when Burt Bacharach noticed her during a session with the Drifters and invited her to record demos of his songs. This marked the start of her solo career, managed by Bacharach, David, and Wand Management at Scepter Records.
Warwick’s rising star has kept her busy with concerts and recordings. She embarked on a four-month European tour in July, including performances in France, Belgium, and the UK, as well as TV appearances and concerts across Europe and North Africa. Upon returning, plans include an album of standards and material for her club act.
Known for hits like “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Walk on By,” and her current double-sided single, “You’ll Never Get to Heaven” and “A House Is Not a Home,” Warwick continues to solidify her status as a class act. Even Vogue Magazine recently took notice, featuring her in its “People Are Talking About” section. In 1964, big things were certainly ahead for this rising star.
A USARM Note: Most of the information provided for this post was obtained and was condensed from the August 22, 1964 issue of Music Business. Long defunct, the trade magazine’s final publication was June 5, 1965.
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Dionne Warwick’s recording career is filled with remarkable achievements that have solidified her status as a music legend:
– Chart Success: She is one of the most-charted vocalists of all time, with 56 singles making the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998. Twelve of these reached the Top Ten.
– Grammy Awards: Warwick has won six Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
– Iconic Hits: Her collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Hal David produced timeless classics like “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” and “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”.
– Crossover Success: She became the first African-American solo female artist of her generation to win the Grammy for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Performance.
– Global Recognition: Warwick’s international appeal was evident when she performed at the Olympia Theater in Paris and became the first African-American solo artist to sing before the Queen of England at a Royal Command Performance.
– Humanitarian Efforts: Beyond music, she contributed to the AIDS benefit single “That’s What Friends Are For,” which became a massive hit and raised funds for AIDS research.
– Hall of Fame Inductions: She has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, and the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame.
Dionne Warwick was born on December 12, 1940. As of this writing, she is 84 years old. Dionne Warwick’s iconic career spanned decades. Her contributions, influence on pop music, R&B, and beyond, remains profoundly cherished in the music business, yet still, to this day.
