The Burt Bacharach Discussion Forum

I am hoping I can get some help in sorting something out. Can anyone give the exact dates to Burt's 1973 Opus # 3 special with Bette Midler, Gilbert O'Sullivan and Stevie Wonder? I have a date of February 28, 1973, but I am presuming that was the air date as Bette was touring the U. S during this period. Unless of course, she left a couple of days open for the tour to go to England for the taping. I am looking for the actual taping date.

I also wanted to know if there are any interviews or songs done by any of the performers on this show that didn't make the actual broadcast. If so, does any audio / video still exist?

Many thanks,

Tom

A photo exists of Gilbert O'Sullivan, Bette Midler and Burt Bacharach sitting at the piano in the studio. I am presuming this was taken during the taping of the show and during Gilbert's segment. Do any other in studio shots exists besides this one?

Thanks,

Tom

Happy 80th - perhaps Burt can answer some of these questions?

That link from iOffer shows the regular TV broadcast.
There are other sellers at iOffer that have the same show, even coupled with other TV Specials, but they offer no hint on "interviews or songs done by any of the performers on this show that didn't make the actual broadcast".

Sorry for not being able to provide more info, but it seems that nobody knows much about it!

Thanks for that. I still need the taping dates though.

I think getting the air date for this show
woulnt be too hard. getting the taping date would be more difficult.

Steveo

I know the air date - February 28, 1973. What I need to find out is the taping date (or dates) Had to be late 1972 (or very early 1973). But when exactly?????

There used to be on YouTube a video, apparently with scenes from that special, in which Burt played Beethoven on the piano while an orchestra on a mezzanine played a lively arrangemente of that piece.

The video began with Bette Midler singing and somehow turned to Burt playing that piece.

Could anyone refer me to that video, please? I looked very hard for it...

I'm sure that the tape date may be on the web somewhere...but where?...it's going to be oscure..perhaps you should write to ITV
in London..they will have it in their files.

Steveo

I have scoured the internew for the taping date for this special. Perhaps Burt himself would know, doens't anyone here have access to him?

Tom,
I will try to search the net as well for you and if I run accross this piece
of information, I will certainly post it.
Best,
Steveo

after working on this for a couiple of hours,it is apparent it is extremely obscure.
The closest I got was an article saying Gilbert O' sullivan was slated to appear on Burt's special....this from late 1972/early 73 but no date.
Email ITV
Steveo