Marie Dionne Warwick is a celebrated American singer, actress, and television host. Renowned for her distinctive contralto vocal range, she gained international recognition for her hit songs spanning various genres like pop, soul, and gospel. Her successful career includes six Grammy Awards, solidifying her legacy in the global music industry.
On December 12, 1940, Marie Dionne Warrick, who later became known as Dionne Warwick, was born in East Orange, New Jersey.
After graduating from East Orange High School in 1959, Dionne Warwick enrolled at the Hartt College of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut, to pursue her passion for music.
In November 1962, Dionne Warwick released her debut solo single, "Don't Make Me Over." The song, inspired by her own words, became her first top 40 pop hit and a top 5 U.S. R&B hit, launching her successful career. This also marked the beginning of her professional and personal use of the "Warwick" spelling.
Dionne Warwick's career took a significant step forward in 1962 when she was signed to Scepter Records. This partnership with Bacharach and David's production company gave Bacharach creative freedom in producing her music.
Following the success of "Don't Make Me Over" in 1962, Dionne Warwick embarked on a tour of France, where she was enthusiastically received and dubbed "Paris' Black Pearl." Notably, she was introduced on stage at the prestigious Paris Olympia by the legendary Marlene Dietrich.
In 1962, while providing background vocals for the Drifters' song "Mexican Divorce," Dionne Warwick's talent was noticed by composer Burt Bacharach. He was impressed by her voice and stage presence.
The period from 1962 onwards marked a significant era in Dionne Warwick's career. The majority of her music released between 1962 and 1971 was created and produced by the renowned songwriting and production duo, Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Dionne Warwick achieved another milestone in November 1963 with the release of "Anyone Who Had a Heart." This single became her first top 10 pop hit in the U.S. and a global success, further establishing her international fame.
Betty Everett's version of "You're No Good," originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, reached No. 5 on the R&B charts in 1963.
Dionne Warwick's debut album, "Presenting Dionne Warwick," was released in early 1963, marking the beginning of a successful recording career.
Following the success of "Anyone Who Had a Heart" in 1963, Dionne Warwick rose to become the priority act of Scepter Records.
In April 1964, Dionne Warwick released "Walk on By," another international smash hit that solidified her position as a major figure in the music industry. This song, along with her previous hits, secured her lasting legacy.
The Swinging Blue Jeans' cover of "You're No Good," originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, became a No. 3 hit in the UK in 1964.
In 1964, Dionne Warwick was named the Bestselling Female Vocalist in Cashbox Magazine's poll, fueled by her six chart hits that year.
On May 21, 1965, Time Magazine published an article titled "Rock 'n' Roll: The Sound of the Sixties," in which they described Dionne Warwick's distinctive sound.
In 1965, Eon Productions, the production company behind the James Bond films, considered using Dionne Warwick's song "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" as the theme song for the movie "Thunderball." However, producer Albert R. Broccoli insisted that the theme song incorporate the film's title. Ultimately, a new song titled "Thunderball" was composed and recorded by Tom Jones. Despite this, the melody of "Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" remained a significant element of the film's score.
In May 1966, Dionne Warwick achieved a top 10 hit with the song "Message to Michael," a Bacharach-David composition initially considered a "man's song."
Dionne Warwick married actor and drummer William Elliott in 1966.
The Swinging Blue Jeans' cover of Dionne Warwick's "Don't Make Me Over" reached No. 31 in the UK Singles Chart in 1966.
Dionne Warwick's album "Here Where There Is Love," featuring the hit song "Alfie," was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in January 1967.
Dionne Warwick's first marriage to William Elliott ended in divorce in May 1967.
On July 14, 1967, Time magazine published an article about Dionne Warwick, highlighting her unique vocal abilities and bold musical choices.
Dionne Warwick and William Elliott reconciled and remarried in Milan, Italy, in August 1967.
Dionne Warwick's compilation album, "Dionne Warwick's Golden Hits Part 1," released in 1967, was certified gold by the RIAA.
In 1967, Dionne Warwick secured the second position in the Cash Box Magazine poll for Top Female Vocalist, with Petula Clark taking the top spot.
In 1968, Dionne Warwick released an album titled "Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls", which featured a re-recorded version of the movie theme, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?", and several new Bacharach-David compositions. The album reached number 6 on the Billboard chart and achieved gold certification.
In 1968, Dionne Warwick's brother, Mancel Jr., tragically passed away in an accident at the age of 21.
In 1968, Dionne Warwick's recording of "(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls" became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts. Originally the B-side to "I Say a Little Prayer," the song gained popularity after the film's success. This unconventional double-sided hit solidified Warwick's presence in the music scene.
Due to contract restrictions, Dionne Warwick re-recorded the theme from "Valley of the Dolls" for her album "Dionne Warwick in Valley of the Dolls," released in 1968. This version, different from the film's soundtrack, reached number 2 on the charts and contributed to the album's gold certification.
Dionne Warwick's success continued with a string of hits in 1968, including "Who Is Gonna Love Me" and "Promises, Promises." Notably, the B-side of "Who Is Gonna Love Me," titled "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me," also gained popularity, becoming another double-sided hit.
Dionne Warwick maintained a strong presence in the Cash Box Magazine poll in 1968, again securing the second position for Top Female Vocalist, this time with Aretha Franklin claiming the top spot.
On January 18, 1969, while residing in East Orange, New Jersey, Dionne Warwick gave birth to her first son, David Elliott.
On September 17, 1969, Dionne Warwick's first television special, "The Dionne Warwick Chevy Special," aired on CBS. The special featured notable guests, including Burt Bacharach, George Kirby, Glen Campbell, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
1969 was a year of chart-topping success for Dionne Warwick with hits like "This Girl's in Love with You," reaching number 7, and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" climbing to number 15 on the charts. Her songs "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and "The April Fools" also made their mark on the charts that year.
Dionne Warwick was recognized with several accolades in 1969, including being named the Top Female Vocalist by Cash Box Magazine and Woman of the Year by Harvard's Hasty Pudding Society.
Dionne Warwick's rising fame was acknowledged in 1969 when she was featured in the Current Biography yearbook. The entry recounted Florence Greenberg's reaction to her demo, solidifying its significance in her career trajectory.
Dionne Warwick continued to receive acclaim for her vocal talents in 1970, earning the title of Top Female Vocalist from both Cash Box Magazine and Playboy's influential Music Poll.
In 1970, Dionne Warwick performed at the prestigious Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium, where she sang "The Look of Love", "What the World Needs Now", and "Come Together".
In 1970, Dionne Warwick's songs found success on the Adult Contemporary charts. "Make It Easy on Yourself" hit the top 10, reaching number 10 on the AC charts, while "Let Me Go to Him" peaked at number 4. "Paper Mache" also charted that year, reaching number 3 on the AC charts.
In a significant move for her career, Dionne Warwick founded her own record label, Sonday Records, in 1970. She served as the president of the label, which was distributed by Scepter Records.
March 1971 marked the release of "Who Gets the Guy," Dionne Warwick's final single penned by Bacharach/David on the Scepter label. The song reached 52 on the pop charts and number 6 on the Adult Contemporary charts.
Dionne Warwick's last LP for Scepter Records, the soundtrack for the motion picture "The Love Machine," was released in July 1971.
In 1971, Dionne Warwick signed a $5 million contract with Warner Bros. Records, the most lucrative recording contract given to a female vocalist up to that time.
Following the advice of her astrologer friend, Linda Goodman, Dionne Warwick changed her name to "Warwicke" in 1971, believing it would bring greater success.
By the end of 1971, Dionne Warwick had achieved remarkable success, selling an estimated 35 million singles and albums globally in less than a decade. That same year, her compilation album "The Dionne Warwicke Story: A Decade of Gold" was released, marking a significant milestone in her career.
By 1971, the fruitful collaboration between Dionne Warwick and the songwriting duo of Bacharach and David came to an end, marking a turning point in her musical journey.
Dionne Warwick secured her third consecutive win as Top Female Vocalist in Cash Box Magazine's poll in 1971, solidifying her dominance in the music industry.
Dionne Warwick released her first album with Warner Bros. Records, titled "Dionne," in January 1972.
Dionne Warwick's album "Dionne", produced by Bacharach and David, was released in 1972, achieving modest chart success.
Dionne Warwick released her album "Just Being Myself," produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland, in 1973.
In 1973, Dionne Warwick's second son, Damon Elliott, was born.
"Then Came You," a duet with the Spinners and produced by Thom Bell, was released in 1974, becoming Dionne Warwick's first U.S. No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
On May 30, 1975, Dionne Warwick and William Elliott separated.
In December 1975, Dionne Warwick's second marriage to William Elliott ended in divorce in Los Angeles.
Burt Bacharach and Hal David sued Scepter Records in 1975 for an accurate accounting of royalties due to them from their recordings with Dionne Warwick and B.J. Thomas.
Linda Ronstadt's rendition of "You're No Good," a song originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, became a No. 1 pop hit in 1975.
Dionne Warwick's album "Then Came You", produced by Jerry Ragovoy, was released in 1975.
Dionne Warwick recorded "His House and Me" and "Once You Hit The Road," both produced by Thom Bell, in 1975.
After filing for bankruptcy in 1975, Scepter Records was sold to Springboard International Records in 1976.
Dionne Warwick released two albums in 1977: "Track of the Cat", produced by Thom Bell, and "Love at First Sight", produced by Steve Barri and Michael Omartian.
In 1979, Dionne Warwick's lawsuit against her former partners, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was settled out of court for $5 million, including the rights to all Warwick recordings produced by them.
Dionne Warwick's dry spell on the American charts ended in 1979 with her signing to Arista Records, marking the beginning of a successful period for her.
Dionne Warwick's RIAA-certified million-seller "I'll Never Love This Way Again," produced by Barry Manilow, was released in 1979, bringing her back to the top of the charts.
While under contract to Arista Records, Dionne Warwick hosted a two-hour TV special called Solid Gold '79 in January 1980.
In 1980, Dionne Warwick released "Deja Vu," co-written by Isaac Hayes, and won two Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female for "I'll Never Love This Way Again" and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for "Déjà Vu."
Dionne Warwick hosted the weekly one-hour show Solid Gold throughout 1980 and 1981.
Dionne Warwick's collaboration with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees resulted in the release of the album and single "Heartbreaker" in October 1982, which became one of her biggest international hits.
In 1982, Mike Joyce of The Washington Post reviewed one of Dionne Warwick's albums, noting her "magical" voice and describing it as "opaque, elusive, elegant."
During a concert in 1983, Stephen Holden, a music critic for The New York Times, observed that Dionne Warwick's voice had deepened "into a near-baritone at its bottom end," resulting in "an ever-more fascinating vocal personality."
In 1983, Dionne Warwick released her album "How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye," produced by Luther Vandross. The title track, a duet with Vandross, was the album's most successful single.
Dionne Warwick released her album "Finder of Lost Loves" in 1984, marking a reunion with Barry Manilow and Burt Bacharach.
After a period of estrangement, Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach reconciled and collaborated once again in 1985. This marked their first collaboration since the 1970s.
Dionne Warwick joined a star-studded lineup of vocalists, including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Ray Charles, to record the charity single "We Are the World" in 1985. The song achieved significant success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four consecutive weeks and becoming the year's biggest hit.
Dionne Warwick returned as host of Solid Gold from 1985–86.
Dionne Warwick, alongside Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder, recorded "That's What Friends are For" in 1985 as a benefit single for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR).
In early 1986, "That's What Friends Are For" achieved triple No. 1 status, reaching the top spot on the R&B, Adult Contemporary, and Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song's success led to it being named Billboard magazine's most popular song of 1986.
Dionne Warwick released "Love Power," a duet with Jeffrey Osborne, in 1987. The song became a hit, reaching high positions on multiple charts. It was included in her album "Reservations for Two," which also featured collaborations with other notable artists like Smokey Robinson and June Pointer.
Dionne Warwick received the Special Recognition Award at the American Music Awards in 1987 for her contributions to the success of "That's What Friends Are For."
In 1988, Dionne Warwick shared her perspective on the AIDS epidemic with The Washington Post, emphasizing the importance of supporting those affected by the disease.
The Warwick Foundation, dedicated to supporting AIDS patients, was founded by Dionne Warwick in 1989.
In 1990, Dionne Warwick collaborated with Dieter Bohlen, formerly of Modern Talking, on the song "It's All Over." The single achieved moderate success on the German pop charts.
In 1990, Dionne Warwick released the album "Dionne Warwick Sings Cole Porter," which received positive reviews for her vocal performance.
Dionne Warwick became the host of infomercials for the Psychic Friends Network in 1991, featuring self-proclaimed psychic Linda Georgian.
Dionne Warwick's tax debts to the IRS, as reported in her 2013 bankruptcy filing, covered the period from 1991 to 1999.
Dionne Warwick's album "Friends Can Be Lovers" was released in 1993, featuring the song "Sunny Weather Lover," the first collaboration between Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Warwick since 1972.
In 1993, Dionne Warwick's son, David, co-wrote the duet "Love Will Find a Way" with Terry Steele for her album "Friends Can Be Lovers." The song featured Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston.
The ABC news program "Day One," hosted by Forrest Sawyer, aired a segment in 1993 alleging financial irregularities within the Warwick Foundation. The report, titled "That's What Friends Are For," raised concerns about the organization's high administrative costs and questioned the use of funds.
Dionne Warwick released the album "Aquarela Do Brasil" in 1994, marking the end of her contract with Arista Records.
The ABC News report on the Warwick Foundation, "That's What Friends Are For," received a national Emmy Award nomination in 1994. It also won a prestigious Investigative Reporters and Editors national television award in 1993.
On July 24, 1997, a tax lien was filed against Dionne Warwick for a delinquency in personal income tax.
Inphomation, the company behind the Psychic Friends Network, filed for bankruptcy in 1998, leading to the end of Warwick's association with the organization.
Dionne Warwick's tax debts to the IRS, as reported in her 2013 bankruptcy filing, covered the period from 1991 to 1999.
Dionne Warwick received a nomination to serve as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on October 16, 2002.
In 2002, Dionne Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport for possession of marijuana. She was found with 11 suspected marijuana cigarettes hidden in a lipstick container in her carry-on luggage.
Starting in 2002, David Elliott, Dionne Warwick's son, began touring and performing duets with her, also playing drums in her touring band.
Dionne Warwick's first Christmas album, titled "My Favorite Time of the Year," was released in 2004, featuring her unique interpretations of holiday classics.
Dionne Warwick was among the legendary figures honored at Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball in 2005.
Dionne Warwick made a special appearance on the fifth-season finale of "American Idol" on May 24, 2006. She performed a medley of her hits "Walk On By" and "That's What Friends Are For," accompanied by longtime collaborator Burt Bacharach on the piano.
Dionne Warwick released the album "My Friends and Me" in 2006. The album was arranged and produced by her son, Damon Elliott.
In 2006, Sarah Dempster of The Guardian remarked on how Dionne Warwick's voice "has deepened with age, lending a splendidly full-bodied finish to everything."
Dionne Warwick appeared on the Top 250 Delinquent Taxpayers List published in October 2007, with a tax delinquency exceeding $2.5 million.
Rhino Records re-released Dionne Warwick's Christmas album, "My Favorite Time of the Year," with updated cover art in 2007.
On February 16, 2008, Dionne Warwick's compilation album, "The Love Collection," which featured her greatest hits and love songs, debuted at an impressive number 27 on the UK album chart.
Dionne Warwick's second gospel album, "Why We Sing," was released in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2008, featuring collaborations with her sister Dee Dee Warwick and BeBe Winans.
On April 1, 2008, Dionne Warwick's second gospel album, "Why We Sing," saw its release in the United States. The album included collaborations with notable artists such as her sister, Dee Dee Warwick, and BeBe Winans.
On October 18, 2008, Dionne Warwick experienced the loss of her sister, Dee Dee Warwick, who passed away in a nursing home in Essex County, New Jersey, following several months of declining health.
On November 24, 2008, Dionne Warwick took center stage as the star performer on "Divas II," a special program that aired on UK ITV1. The show brought together a constellation of music stars, including Rihanna, Leona Lewis, the Sugababes, Pink, Gabriella Climi, and Anastacia.
Dionne Warwick experienced the loss of her sister, Delia "Dee Dee" Warrick, in 2008.
On October 20, 2009, Starlight Children's Foundation and New Gold Music Ltd. released Dionne Warwick's song "Starlight," a track recorded approximately a decade prior. Notably, Warwick, along with lyricist Dean Pitchford and composer Bill Goldstein, pledged to donate 100% of their royalties from the song to Starlight Children's Foundation, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the organization's mission of assisting critically ill children and their families in coping with the challenges of their circumstances.
In 2009, the IRS revoked $1.2 million of Dionne Warwick's tax lien after discovering an accounting error.
In March 2011, Dionne Warwick participated in the fourth season of "The Celebrity Apprentice," choosing the Hunger Project as her designated charity. However, her journey on the show came to an end during the fourth task when she was dismissed from her "apprenticeship" by Donald Trump.
Dionne Warwick released her autobiography, "My Life, as I See It," in 2011. In the book, she reveals that opera singer Leontyne Price is her maternal cousin.
In February 2012, Dionne Warwick graced the stage of "The Jonathan Ross Show" with a performance of her classic hit "Walk On By." Notably, she received the prestigious Goldene Kamera Musical Lifetime Achievement Award in Germany, where she delivered a memorable performance of "That's What Friends Are For" during the ceremony.
On May 28, 2012, Dionne Warwick lent her voice to a significant cause as the headliner for the World Hunger Day concert held at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall. In a performance dedicated to the Hunger Project, she sang "One World One Song," a specially composed piece by Tony Hatch and Tim Holder. Warwick was joined on stage by Joe McElderry, the London Community Gospel Choir, and a choir from Woodbridge School in Woodbridge, Suffolk, creating a powerful and harmonious performance.
On March 21, 2013, Dionne Warwick filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New Jersey. Citing mismanagement of her business affairs, she listed liabilities that included significant tax debts owed to the IRS and the state of California.
On September 19, 2013, Dionne Warwick collaborated with country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, contributing her vocals to his poignant song "Hope Is Just Ahead."
In 2013, Dionne Warwick released the album "Now."
Dionne Warwick received a Grammy Award nomination in the Traditional Pop Category for her album "Now" in 2014.
On January 24, 2015, Dionne Warwick was hospitalized following a fall in the shower at her home. She underwent ankle surgery and was later discharged.
In December 2023, Dionne Warwick participated in the fifth season of "The Masked Singer UK" as "Weather." She was eliminated and unmasked in the first episode.
In 2023, it was calculated that the $12.50 Dionne Warwick earned per demo recording session in 1962 is equivalent to $130 today, illustrating the value of her early work.
On April 26, 2024, Dionne Warwick, along with the vocal group The Chi-Lites, was inducted into the Atlantic City Walk of Fame, presented by The National R&B Music Society Inc. The induction ceremony took place at Brighton Park in Atlantic City, NJ.
In 2024, Dionne Warwick was selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the musical excellence category.