Dionne Warwick
Reviving a Legend: Clive Davis and Dionne Warwick
Rediscovering a Timeless Talent
By the late 1970s, Dionne Warwick—one of the greatest pop singers of all time—was at a crossroads. Known for her unparalleled ability to interpret the complex melodies of Burt Bacharach and Hal David in hits like “Walk On By” and “I Say a Little Prayer,” Warwick had seen her career falter. After her run at Warner Bros. ended in 1977, disco dominated the airwaves, and Warwick was disillusioned, considering leaving the recording industry to focus on live performances. Clive Davis saw this as an opportunity to bring her back to prominence, convinced her unique talent could transcend trends.
Crafting a Comeback: Dionne
Davis’s reputation for identifying great songs led him to Richard Kerr and Will Jennings’s “I’ll Never Love This Way Again.” Originally recorded by Kerr but overlooked by the public, Davis saw its potential as a smash hit with the right artist. Warwick’s voice and style were perfect for the track. Though initially hesitant, Warwick agreed to record it, and Davis enlisted Barry Manilow to produce her entire comeback album, Dionne.
Released in 1979, the album’s first single, “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” climbed to number five on the charts and sold over a million copies. It won Warwick her first Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female. The album’s second single, “Déjà Vu,” also became a hit, earning her a second Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female. This marked the first time a female artist won Grammys in both categories in the same year. The album went platinum, solidifying Warwick’s return as a major star.
Building on Momentum
Warwick’s success with Dionne required consistent follow-ups. Her 1980 album, No Night So Long, reached the Top 40, with its title track becoming a hit. In 1981, she released “Friends in Love,” a duet with Johnny Mathis. While these releases sustained her presence, Warwick’s versatility allowed her to expand beyond music. She co-hosted the TV show Solid Gold from 1980 to 1981 and again in 1985–1986, keeping her in the public eye.
Partnerships with Musical Icons
Davis continued searching for innovative collaborations to maintain Warwick’s appeal. During a trip to Florida, Davis met Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, who expressed his admiration for Warwick. This meeting led to Gibb writing and producing “Heartbreaker” for her in 1982. The song became an international hit, and the Heartbreaker album achieved gold certification.
Warwick’s next project paired her with Luther Vandross, who produced her 1983 album How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye. Vandross also performed the title track with Warwick, giving her another Top 40 hit. In 1985, Davis reunited Warwick with Burt Bacharach for Finder of Lost Loves, which included collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Barry Manilow.
A Global Anthem: “That’s What Friends Are For”
In 1985, as the AIDS epidemic devastated communities, Warwick and Davis spearheaded a landmark project. Davis identified Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager’s “That’s What Friends Are For” as the perfect anthem for the cause. Warwick enlisted Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, and Elton John for the recording. The song, credited to Dionne & Friends, became an immediate cultural phenomenon, topping the charts and winning multiple Grammys, including Song of the Year. All proceeds went to amfAR, raising over $3 million to support AIDS research.
The success of “That’s What Friends Are For” extended far beyond the music industry, funding critical early work for amfAR and symbolizing the power of artists uniting for a cause.
Later Years and Lasting Legacy
Warwick continued recording with Arista through the mid-1990s. Her 1987 album Reservations for Two featured the Top 20 hit “Love Power,” a duet with Jeffrey Osborne. In 1990, Warwick released Dionne Warwick Sings Cole Porter, produced by Arif Mardin, showcasing her ability to interpret the Great American Songbook.
Warwick’s career highlights were celebrated in 1990 during Arista’s fifteenth-anniversary concert at Radio City Music Hall. She performed alongside her cousin Whitney Houston, with a finale of “That’s What Friends Are For.” In 2011, Davis honored Warwick’s 50 years in music with a special performance at his annual pre-Grammy party.
Facts from the Narrative
Reviving a Career: Clive Davis brought Dionne Warwick back to recording after she had considered retiring from the music industry. Her 1979 album Dionne, produced by Barry Manilow, achieved platinum certification and earned Warwick two Grammys.
Key Collaborations: Davis facilitated partnerships with Barry Gibb, who produced the Heartbreaker album, and Luther Vandross, who worked on How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye. He reunited Warwick with Burt Bacharach for Finder of Lost Loves.
Philanthropy Through Music: Warwick and Davis led the creation of “That’s What Friends Are For,” which raised over $3 million for AIDS research and won multiple Grammys.
Cultural Influence: Warwick’s work with Clive Davis revitalized her career and established her as a symbol of timeless artistry, philanthropy, and collaboration in the music industry.
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