Staying power ... Burt Bacharach. Photo: Anthony Johnson
PRESIDENT Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will honour songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, a duo whose pop melodies and lyrics regularly hit the charts in the 1960s and early 1970s despite competition from more socially revolutionary performers.
Bacharach and David on Wednesday will receive the 2012 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Mr Obama has previously honoured Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder with the prize.
Performers at the White House will include Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett and Diana Krall.
Popular ... Hal David. Photo: Reuters
The music of Bacharach and David has had longevity, with their songs covered by several artists. But it was Dionne Warwick who gave their music staying power. She recorded more than 60 Bacharach-David arrangements, with 19 reaching the top 40, including the hit Walk On By.
Associated Press
