With a unique voice and five Grammy Awards, Dionne Warwick has become one of the pillars of American pop culture and music. Celebrating 50 years of hits, her career has transformed her into an international music icon, with over 100 million records sold.
Dionne first visited Brazil in the 1960s, and it was love at first sight! In March, she will return to Brazil with her band of exceptional musicians, performing on March 19 at the Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro and on March 23 at Espaço das Américas in São Paulo.
Biography and More Information
Dionne began singing professionally in 1961 after being discovered by the young songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Her first success came in 1962 with "Don't Make Me Over." Less than a decade later, she had released over 18 consecutive Top 100 singles, including classic Bacharach/David recordings such as "Walk On By," "Anyone Who Had a Heart," "Message to Michael," "Promises, Promises," "A House Is Not a Home," "Alfie," "Say a Little Prayer," "This Girl’s in Love With You," "I’ll Never Fall in Love Again," and "Reach Out for Me." Together, Warwick, Burt Bacharach, and Hal David amassed over 30 hit singles and nearly 20 best-selling albums during their first decade together.
Warwick received her first Grammy in 1968 for her mega-hit "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" and a second Grammy in 1970 for the best-selling album "I’ll Never Fall in Love Again." She became the first African American female solo artist of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Performance, a title only previously awarded to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. Warwick’s performance at the Olympia Theatre in Paris during a concert in 1963, starring the iconic Marlene Dietrich, catapulted her to international stardom. As she established herself firmly in contemporary American music, she also gained popularity among European audiences.
In 1968, she became the first African American female solo artist to sing for the Queen of England in a Royal Command Performance. Since then, Warwick has performed before kings, queens, numerous presidents, and heads of state. She was also one of the first female artists to popularize themes from classic films such as "A House Is Not a Home," "Alfie," "Valley of the Dolls," and "The April Fools."
In 1970, Warwick received her second Grammy for the best-selling album "I’ll Never Fall in Love Again," and began her second decade of hits with Warner Bros Records. She recorded half a dozen albums with prominent producers like Thom Bell, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Jerry Ragavoy, Steve Barri, and Michael Omartian.
In 1974, she topped the charts with "Then Came You," a duet with The Spinners. She then teamed up with Isaac Hayes for a successful world tour, "A Man and a Woman." In 1976, Warwick signed with Arista Records, starting her third decade of hits. Barry Manilow, her label mate at Arista, produced her first platinum album, "Dionne," which included hits like "I’ll Never Fall in Love Again" and "Déjà Vu." Both recordings won Grammys, making Warwick the first female artist to win the Best Female Pop and Best Female R&B Performance Awards.
In 1985, she reunited with composer Burt Bacharach and long-time friends Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder to record the landmark song "That’s What Friends Are For," which became a worldwide number one hit and the first recording dedicated to raising awareness and funds (over $3 million) for AIDS causes in support of AMFAR, which Warwick continues to support. Warwick was also a key participant in the all-star charity single "We Are the World," and in 1984, she performed at "Live Aid."
On March 26, 2012, Warwick was inducted into the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, where a historic performance and program were held at the Clive Davis Theater, along with a special exhibition celebrating her 50-year anniversary. Additionally, a panel discussion with Clive Davis and Burt Bacharach was organized by the executive director of the Grammy Museum, Bob Santelli.
Most recently, Warwick released the highly anticipated album of duets titled "Feels So Good," featuring collaborations with some of today’s biggest artists, including Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ne-Yo, Gladys Knight, CeeLo Green, Cyndi Lauper, and many more. "Feels So Good" was released through Bright Music Records, Caroline, and Capitol.
