Burt Bacharach is simply one of the most accomplished composers of the 20th Century. In the 1960s and '70s, Bacharach was a dominant figure in popular music, writing an amazing 52 Top 40 hits. In their musical sophistication, Bacharach compositions stood apart from much of the simpler pop music of the era. Bacharach songs typically boasted memorable melodies, unconventional time signatures and striking chord changes. Lyricist Hal David, Bacharach's primary collaborator, provided Bacharach's music with Tin Pan Alley craft and melodrama. David's unsentimental, bittersweet lyrics often contrasted with Bacharach's soaring melodies. While Bacharach's name in the 1970s became synonymous with elevator music, due in large part to his music's familiarity, a closer listening suggests that his meticulously crafted, technically sophisticated music is anything but easy listening.

Burt Bacharach was born in Kansas City, Mo., on May 12, 1928. The son of nationally syndicated columnist Bert Bacharach, Burt grew up in New York and -- at his mother's insistance -- studied cello, drums, and then piano beginning at the age of 12. As a youth, Burt hated his piano lessons. His dream was to play professional football, but his lack of size kept him out of that field.

As a teenager, Bacharach fell in love with jazz and sometimes used a fake ID to sneek into 52nd Street nightclubs to see bebop legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Bebop's far-out harmonies and melodies were a major influence on the young composer.

Bacharach soon started a band and his first music jobs were playing at Catskills resorts and army bases. He enrolled in the music studies program at McGill University in Montreal. It was there that he wrote his first song.

He went on to study theory and composition at the Mannes School of Music in New York City; at the Berkshire Music Center; and at the New School for Social Research, where he studied under composers Bohuslav Martinu, Henry Cowell and Darius Milhaud (whose influence on Bacharach's style is apparent in his work). He was also awarded a scholarship to the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbera.

From 1950-52 Bacharach served in the Army, playing piano at the officer's club on Governor Island and concerts at Fort Dix; his perfomances then consisted mostly of improvisations and pop medleys of the day, although he was billed as a concert pianist.

While serving as a dance band arranger with the Army in Germany, Bacharach met Vic Damone. After his discharge, at the age of 24, Bacharach became Damone's piano accompaniest. He also worked nightclubs, restaurants and accompanied performers such as Ames Brothers, Imogene Coca, Polly Bergen, Joel Grey, Georgia Gibbs, Steve Lawrence and a young singer by the name of Paula Stewart. He married Stewart in 1953 (they were divorced in 1958).

In 1957, Burt teamed up with lyricist Hal David (b. May 25, 1921), whom he met while they both worked at Famous Paramount Music Company. The pair stuck gold almost immediately, with hits for Marty Robbins ("The Story of My Life," 1957) and Perry Como ("Magic Moments," 1958).

From 1958-61 Burt toured Europe and America as musical director for Marlene Dietrich. During this period, two Bacharach songs were recorded: "Tower of Strength" by Gene McDaniel (with lyrics by Bob Hilliard) and "Baby It's You" by the Shirelles (lyrics by Mack David