Prescott News – What do you get when you fall in love? That immortal question was best answered by a singer who became the voice for composer Bert Bacharach and the sound of romance for a generation. Yavapai College invites you to join the iconic Dionne Warwick as she brings the sound and feel of 60’s pop back to the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center, Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m.
With six Grammy awards, more than fifty Billboard hits and twelve singles in the Top Ten between 1962 and 1998, Dionne Warwick is one of the most successful pop vocalists ever. Her hits – including “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” – captured the essence and flavor of the 1960’s. Billboard Magazine ranks her at #74 on their Hot 100 “Greatest Artists of All Time.”
Marie Dionne Warrick first sang with her family, as a member of the Drinkard Singers. She made her television debut on “TV Gospel Time” in 1962. That same year, while singing backup vocals for the Drifters, she met a Brill Building composer named Burt Bacharach, who was enchanted by her voice. He hired her to cut demo recordings of songs he and his partner, lyricist Hal David, had penned. One of them, “It’s Love That Really Counts,” caught the attention of Florence Greenberg at Scepter Records, who told them, “forget the song, get the girl!”
Dionne had her first hit, “Don’t Make Me Over,” in 1962. A typo on her first single misspelled her name as “Warwick.” She stuck with the name change. Her fourth single, “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” became her first Top Ten hit in 1963. Then “Walk on By,” in 1964, made her an international success.
The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center is offering a special preshow dinner at 5:30 p.m. before Dionne Warwick’s performance. Patrons are invited to enjoy Pan-Seared Steak Medallions with mustard-seed Demi Glacé; Honey-Black Pepper-Roasted Carrots, Smashed Potatoes. Sauteed Mushrooms & Peach Chiffon Cake on the performing arts center mezzanine for $55 per person.
Tickets for Dionne Warwick start at $59. For reservations or more information, please contact The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center Ticket Office, located on Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus, 1100 E. Sheldon Street. The office is open Tuesday – Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Thursday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, please call: (928) 776-2000 or visit: www.ycpac.com.