A Date With DIONNE

[ron hertel]

Vincent will never speak to me again if I don't do this - so here goes!

Saturday night - wife is out of town - Dionne Warwick is performing with the San Diego Symphony - no previous commitments - a "no - brainer". Following last summer's Warwick concert - I stated that it was the last time I would attend one of her shows - but - Hey - it's Dionne Warwick singing Bacharach/David with the San Diego Symphony! At long last I've come to terms with the fact that her song selection is not going to change much - and it hasn't. Etched in stone is the verbalizing between songs (almost word for word) and the introductions along with the playful admonitions directed toward the audience for inadequately applauding the musicians and not singing loud enough during the "sing along portion" of "What The World Needs Now".

Most of the attendees (and she packed them in for 2 nights) are long time fans who've brought friends to share in the greatness of the Bacharach/David/Warwick team. How disappointed they would be if she did not deliver her biggest "commercial hits". What did change were the arrangements and interpretations of these classic songs. Dionne artfully re-interprets these gems to give them "new life" and to accommodate the changes in her voice. Performing with no backup singers - she knows when to step back from a note - either verbalizing rather than singing a lyric - or turning it over to her musicians. She does this sparingly and seamlessly with unmatched musical precision - a true professional!

Her voice was in great form and she appeared to be truly enjoying herself. A heartwarming unscripted appearance of the cutest little girl walking on stage to be with her grandmother was acknowledged with applause. Another bit of spontaneity was experienced was experienced when a chartered party boat passed behind the stage of the outdoor bayside venue blaring loud music. Dionne's reaction? "Someone havin' a party and didn't invite me"!

Burt appears here next month for his annual performance with the San Diego Symphony during the horse racing season at Del Mar. Once again - a message for "Dionne's People and "Burt's People - IT'S TIME - time for a long awaited set of joint appearance concerts. It's been several years since the last one and they're both still in great form. This should be recorded and released as both a CD and DVD!

Will I attend Dionne's next concert? .....YEP!

[BachtoBacharach]

Dionne is traveling lighter these days...usually with no backup singers and a handful of musicians. Economic reality has much to do with this I would imagine; she does not seem to have the entourage traveling with her as she has in the past. She is not touring internationally nearly as much as international travel is so terribly expensive these days; in the past 5 years or so she has performed out of the USA much more than in the USA. This is changing. I, too, agree that it's time to get Burt and Dionne together for another tour while they are still able. We would all love to believe that there are many years left for them to do this but alas, that is probably not the case. I personally don't know how Dionne has kept the pace of touring so much in the past few years. Her health has held out despite her on again off again heavy smoking habit and although her upper register is largely gone, she has adapted well to her changed voice. While her contemporaries like Tina Turner, Aretha, Franklin and Diana Ross appear infrequently in concert, Dionne maintains a schedule which would tire someone one third her age, and I believe it is largely enonomically motivated. Dionne has been generous to a fault to family and long-time friends throughout the years; some would also say that she has been foolishly generous to hangers-on and so-called friends and for many years traveling with an ever increasing entourage who reportedly kept her financially strapped. Even during the lean years from 1973 through her dramatic comeback in 1979, Dionne was pulling in about $2-3 million per year largely from touring and she has made many, many millions in her career. My hope is that Dionne, who has been so generous to so many folks, can retire when she chooses to with something put back for her to be very comfortable and appear, as Tina or Aretha, when she wants and make an event. Dionne has commented repeatedly in interviews that although she enjoys performing, she is looking forward to the day she can retire. One has to wonder why she can't seem to.

[An Enormous BB Fan]

Yes, it would be great if they could do a concert together. But you also mentioned Dionne's finances. So I was thinking that they probably wouldn't do a concert together since the ticket prices would be the same but the profits would have to be split between Dionne and Burt. So, in essence, they would be doing a concert and only getting half the amount. Now you could say that I'm missing the fact that the audience would be double since Burt would have his fans PLUS Dionne would have her fans. I don't think it would work out that way.... especially in this case... since the fans, basically, are the same. So, from a financial point of view, I don't see them concertizing together. Of course, I hope I'm wrong. I saw them both in concert in Tampa and it was great. But, alas, even back then, the hall wasn't filled. I'm also sorry to hear that Dionne's savings aren't what they should be. That's a shame considering her legendary career.

[vincent.cole]

Bonjour Ron;

I guess my sardonic email about fried chicken moved you to action (lol)!

Ron great recap of the show!!!

I spoke with the Editor of the LA Times and he wants you also to do the Burt Review in August. I hope I don't have to send out another email to you (lol)!

Ron, I have plans to see Dionne in November in New Jersey.

I guess when someone comes up with big bucks, that’s when we will see Burt & Dionne again!

A couple of years ago, Dionne did 2 shows and was given the amount of 1 million dollars for each show!!!

Take care mon ami.

Vincent

[BachtoBacharach]

Vincent,

Isn't it amazing that Dionne was able to pull in a cool million for those shows. She also did a 30 minute mini concert in England a couple of years ago for the birthday of a shiek and was paid a cool $500,000. I understand that she brought in her keyboard artist and that was it as there was an orchestra already in attendance. Interesting thing is, I believe Michael Jackson was paid $1 million just to appear at that same birthday party and didn't have to sing or anything; his only obligation was to meet and greet for about 15 minutes. If Dionne and Burt could pull down those kinds of bucks for say 10 to 15 appearances, that would, I bet beat their current minimums. I don't know what minimum Dionne or Burt command these days, but they have when appearing together, I assume, split the cost of the musicians and other expenses, so the net might roughly be the same. I have the impression that Burt is not hurting financially and is touring for the love of performing. I imagine Dionne probably would not be in financial straights either except that she has so many folks to support. Maybe someone will come through with underwriting a series of Burt-Dionne evenings with various symphonies throughout the country. I have seen both perform with magnificant orchestras and they both seem to shine even brighter, if that is possible, when performing together will full orchestra. I do so want Burt and Dionne to work together on an album one more time; who better than Burt to write for Dionne's 68 year old voice and take advantage of the uniqueness of her voice.

[vincent.cole]

Bonjour BachtoBacharach;

I enjoyed your comments!

Yes, If Dionne can command between 500,000 & 1 million dollars per show, I am sure there are other people in the world who would pay to see both of them perform together again! Hey, many corporations drop millions of dollars on sporting events, why not them!

If I recall, last year Burt played @ a private event for Ted Turner's birthday bash. I am sure Burt was paid a handsome sum!
Yeah, Burt doesn't need the money. Dionne I am not sure. But to us true fans, it's not about money!!!

I mention this before. In 1986 or 87, I saw Burt @ Radio City Music Hall in New York City. What a incredible show with all of those instruments!!! There is something magical when both Burt & Dionne perform together!

Well BachtoBacharach, lets hope Burt, Dionne & Hal will make all of our dreams come true!!!

[Burtelich]

Hi Vincent I'm afraid the reunion concert you saw in Radio Music City Hall was in '88. I was in New York on a business trip for only 4 days and had to leave the Sunday before the concert next Thursday - It was awful! My best friend told me to call my boss and tell him I had broken a leg or an arm, so I would could stay on. I only discovered the concert when I picked up the What's on - in the lobby of my hotel Saturday afternoon.

At that point it was nearlhy 20 years since I last saw Burt - and not in concert. - I saw Dionne in Copenhagen a couple of years previous, during the time they did not communicate. - But like I mentioned earlier, I was extremely happy to meet up with Burt finally in Antwerpen only a few weeks ago! A wonderful concert it was too. - I've managed to see Dionne twice in between. One perfect concert another not quite up to scratch, I'm afraid.

[vincent.cole]

Bonjour Burtelich;

Thanks for clearing up the date.

I am not sure what show that you attended, but the one I was at was just great! If I recall, Burt & Dionne played @ Radio City Music Hall 2 or 3 days.

[Burtelich]

Of course Vincent - sorry if I did not express myself clearly. I'm quite convinced that the concerts you attended were fantastic, nothing else is possible I believe. I'm still somewhat jealoux that I never saw Burt and Dionne together in concert.

But on the other hand I have been very fortunate to meet them both and spend a little time in their company. My late mother and I even met up with Dionne at Copenhagen Airport, her plane was late and we played backgammon to pass the time. At the concerte the night before the first row was occupied by my entire family - I suppose I bought the tickets as presents - and they all loved the show, like me.

[vincent.cole]

Bonjour Burtelich;

There is nothing to be sorry about!

I have met Dionne numerous of times! Burt is a different story. I have lost track the number of times that I have met Burt after concerts! I also have gotten bad stage a few times to see Burt, not counting the many photos I have taken with him.

Seeing both Burt & Dionne in concert is very special! The both of them seem to feed off each other!

[Burtelich]

Once more - I'm sorry - I stand corrected, it was in '87. It was in '88 I came to stay in California and turned a huge corner agewise. I wish I had heard about your many times backstage with Burt before, then it might not have taken me 40 years to track him down again, like it did. But I enjoyed every minute, even the loss when I thought for a few seconds, I might give up on my dream. - It must be just a tiny bit easier to get access for you guys who live on the same continent, after all. But Mr BB belongs to the entire world, I'm happy say and share! He is simply the best!

[Toms1234]

Had the chance to see Burt and Dionne together in Concert at the Detroit Music Hall in Detroit Summer of 2002 with full orchestra.
It was a corprate event sponsored by Chrysler Corporation, they released tickets to sell to the general public.
It was quite an evening. Lot of movers and shakers in the Auto Industry that are all but gone now.

tom