WHERE would the late Cilla Black have been without him? Or Mick Head's early Pale Fountains?
Burt Bacharach, the man who gave Cilla her most enduring hit, Alfie, alongside legendary producer George Martin, whose death was announced today, returns to Liverpool in June.
The Philharmonic Hall date is one of just four UK stop-offs for the 88-year old who has won tons Grammy awards and Oscars for film scores including Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid and Arthur.
The way it works is that Bacharach, who was behind some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s, appears with his core band, but for extra oomph - and you do need that extra oomph - an orchestra is parachuted in for the night.
It's still worth a punt or 70, although the absence of his divas - Dionne, Dusty, Aretha, Cher and Karen Carpenter - can occasionally lend a rather lonely chime to this, the ultimate tribute show where the tributee is the performer.
Bacharach sings and plays some of his greatest compositions, including Alfie, a showstopper which is bound to be even more of a lip trembler this time.
Then there's that stunning back catalogue: Walk On By, The Look Of Love, I Say A Little Prayer, Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head and (They Long To Be) Close To You.
Bacharach's songs have also been recorded by The Stranglers, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Linda Ronstadt and, more recently, Elvis Costello and Adele.
The songwriter, who last year took Glastonbury by storm, said: "I'm excited to be returning to the UK this summer to play more concerts. It's such a joy to perform in the UK for such great audiences."
Burt Bacharach, June 29, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (band and orchestra) £70 / £52 / £45 ticketmaster.co.uk and Phil box office. Presale Friday (March 11). General sale, Monday (March 14).
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