Six decades into one of songwriting's most successful and honored careers - with scores of number 1 hits - Burt Bacharach's music continues to set industry records and standards. His audiences span all generations and he is considered everything from one of the greatest of all composers to the "coolest cult hero" of the contemporary music set. Bacharach is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century, comparable to such greats as George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. Bacharach began his career as a conductor and arranger, and toured extensively for three years as accompanist-conductor for the legendary Marlene Dietrich. As a teenager Bacharach was writing songs and late in 1957 his first hit came with Marty Robbins and "The Story of My Life", reaching the top 20 in America and the number one spot in England. This song marked the beginning of Bacharach's legendary collaboration with lyricist Hal David and was followed by another U.K and USA chart topper, "Magic Moments" with Perry Como in 1958.

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