Legend Dionne Warwick can’t wait to hit the Coast and buy Ugg boots
Dionne Warwick is set to wow the Gold Coast bringing 54 years in the music industry, 75 charting songs and more than 100 million worldwide record sales
DIONNE Warwick has had some of the 20th century’s most memorable songs roll off her tongue and into the hearts of listeners for more than 50 years.
But don’t ask her to try to pick a favourite because the all-time second most-charted female vocalist says it would be like nominating a favourite child.
“I love every single one of them, they are my babies and you can’t have a favourite one,” she said, speaking to the Bulletin from her US home in New Jersey.
“There are songs people expect me to perform and but when I perform I put a few surprises in there.
“I think my performances are a well-rounded show that people enjoy.”
The Gold Coast will next month get a taste of the voice behind hits like Walk On By and Do You Know the Way to San Jose? when the 75year-old flies into Australia for her latest tour.
The five-time Grammy Award winner will arrive on the Gold Coast the same weekend the nation’s school graduates descend on the Glitter Strip for Schoolies Week.
Don’t expect to see Warwick partying with the schoolies — she’ll be playing a one-off show at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on Saturday, November 19.
But how does Warwick keep the old hits vibrant after a career spanning 54 years, 75 charting songs and more than 100 million worldwide record sales?
The singer said a mixture of new arrangements and audience participation helped keep her edge.
“I keep it current with a few different songs updated to how they can sound for the 21st century and I think that has proven to be a pretty enjoyable experience for the audience,” she said.
“My favourite moments are when I am talking to the audience and having them participate.
“People don’t think you can see over the spotlights when standing out on the stage but you can.
“I can see the arms around people’s shoulders, the smiles and the singing along.
“I absolutely love it when they sing along.”
Warwick was born in New Jersey on December 12, 1940 and began performing in the early 1960s.
It was in the early days of her career when she met her most famous professional collaborates — Burt Bacharach and Hal David who went on to write many of her most famous hits.
Releasing her fist single in late 1962, Warwick had a string of major hits including Walk On By in 1964, Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself in 1966 and Do You Know the Way to San Jose in 1968.
At her peak, between 1963 and 1968, she had 12 consecutive top 100 hits.
Outside of performing she has also held humanitarian posts including United States Ambassador of Health
Iand Global Ambassador for Health and Ambassador for the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organisation. She continues in that role today. Her most recent album, Feels So Good, was released in 2014 and featured a star-studded collection of duets with contemporary artists including Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ne-Yo, Gladys Knight, Cee Lo Green and Cyndi Lauper.
Warwick said she looked back fondly on the album.
“Each of the artists who participated chose something they really wanted to sing,” she said.
“The only thing I said was I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardise th the integrity of the song and they agreed so it was full steam ahead.”
During her tour she will also perform in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Having previously performed at Jupiters, the mother of two said she enjoyed playing concert halls.
“I am really looking forward to it – Jupiters has been wonderful before with audiences being really kind to me,” she said.
“There are so many places I have performed in and I am always keen to revisit them.”
But it won’t be just singing and performing that the grandmother of seven has planned, she also hopes to get a bit of shopping done, including for the Gold Coast-made Ugg boots.
“It is heading into winter here in the US so I’ll be stocking up on sweaters and I need a few Uggs,” she said.
“I have friends in Australia so I’ll be hanging out with them too.”
However, Warwick said she did not plan to spend time on the Coast’s famous beaches.
“I love watching the ocean but I do not like sand too much so I won’t be sitting on the beach,” she said.
“I’ll be heading home in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas which is a time of year I love — it is all about family.
“Christmas is a wonderful time of year for me.”
Warwick will celebrate her 76th birthday just two weeks after returning to the US.
An Evening with Dionne Warwick will be held at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on Saturday, November 19.