Burt Bacharach, Legendary Pop Songwriter, Dead at 94

He's known for many enduring hits, including "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head."

Iconic composer Burt Bacharach has died.

The legendary pop music writer passed away Wednesday at his Los Angeles home.

His publicist, Tina Brausam, confirmed he died of natural causes. He was 94.

He composed over 500 songs during his career, including “Say a Little Prayer,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head,” “Walk on By,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” and many more enduring hits.

His talents also extended to movie themes, including “What's New, Pussycat,” “Alfie,” and “The Look Of Love.”

NPR notes that many of his pieces added horns and strings to create his signature sound that made the world dance and groove.

In addition to working with some of the biggest names in the business like Dionne Warwick, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin, his work was covered by stars like Elvis Presely and The Beatles, along with modern day artists such as The White Stripes and Ashanti, per BBC.

Throughout the span of his lengthy career, he earned many accolades—eight Grammys, three Oscars, and 73 Top 40 hits in the U.S. and 52 in the U.K.

Though born in Missouri, Bacharach grew up in New York City, studying cello, drums and piano as a child. As a teen, he started sneaking into jazz clubs, eventually playing in jazz bands of his own in the '40s.

In 1957, he scored his first UK song, "The Story of My Life," which also marked his first collaboration with long-time songwriting partner, Hal David, per BBC.

Bacharach has been hailed a visionary, delivering songs that were unconventional in structure for the 1960s, with The Library of Congress noting that he "set industry records and creative standards."

His sound spanned multiple genres like jazz, blues, and traditional pop.

The musician was married four times—Paula Stewart in 1953, actress Angie Dickinson in 1958, and frequent musical collaborator Carole Bayer Sager in 1982—before finding lasting love with Jane Hansen, who he wed in 1993.

He is survived by Hansen and their children, Oliver and Raleigh, in addition to a son, Christopher, with Sager. His daughter, Nikki, died by suicide in 2007 after a lifelong battle with Asperger's syndrome.