Hal David: Broadway lyricist dies age 91

Hal David, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his lyrics for the Broadway musical 'Promises, Promises,' died in Los Angeles on 1 Sep 2012 after suffering a stroke, at age 91.

Hal David was best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach and his association with Dionne Warwick. Together the deo wrote the hit songs "Three Wheels on my Wagon", "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", "This Guy's in Love with You", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", "Walk On By", "What the World Needs Now Is Love", "I Say a Little Prayer", "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me", "One Less Bell to Answer" and "Anyone Who Had a Heart".

The duo's film work includes the Oscar-nominated title songs for "What's New Pussycat?" and "Alfie", "The Look of Love", from Casino Royale; and the Oscar-winning "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In addition, "Don't Make Me Over", "(They Long to Be) Close to You", and "Walk On By" have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

For Broadway he is best known for his lyrics for the Broadway musical 'Promises, Promises, an adaptation of Neil Simon's 'The Apartment,' with which he worked with Neil Simon and composer Burt Bacharach. The musical's score includes the popular song "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," which was nominated for Song of the Year in the 1969 Grammy awards.

The duo's film work includes the Oscar-nominated title songs for "What's New Pussycat?" and "Alfie", "The Look of Love", from Casino Royale; and the Oscar-winning "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In addition, "Don't Make Me Over", "(They Long to Be) Close to You", and "Walk On By" have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Hal David was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972, elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. David and Bacharach were awarded the 2011 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song bestowed by the Library of Congress, the first time a songwriting team was given the honor.

Born in New York city in 1921. David first began to write lyrics in the 1940's for for bandleader Sammy Kaye and for Guy Lombardo. He met his writing partner composer Burt Bacharach in 1957 and wrote their first hit "The Story of My Life", recorded by Marty Robbins later that year.

David is survived by his second wife, Eunice, two sons, Jim and Craig, and three grandchildren.