82 y/o LEGEND Dionne Warwick Performs Her 1985 #1 “That’s What Friends Are For” With Grandchildren Kato and Cheyenne
Dionne Warwick's remarkable 62-year music career features numerous extraordinary moments, including being the first African-American woman to perform for Queen Elizabeth II in England and recording a #1 charity hit with Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight. In 2023, she delivered a performance unlike any before in her career!
Joined by her granddaughter Cheyenne and backed by musicians, Dionne shared stories about her famous charity single with her Los Angeles fans before singing. A comical incident occurred when her young nephew Kato rushed onto the stage wearing a cute suit vest, causing Dionne to stop the song abruptly and exclaim, "Oh, I forgot!" The crowd laughed as she admitted, "My bad" and properly introduced Kato.
The family performance shows beautiful contrasts - Dionne's magnificent voice carries a poignant quality at 82, while little Kato sings with charming childlike enthusiasm. Cheyenne, 29 and an emerging R&B artist herself, delivers smooth vocals while showing respect for her musical heritage. Interestingly, Dionne is first cousins with Whitney Houston, showing how musical talent flows through their family line.
Born in New Jersey, Dionne Warwick has ruled the soul music scene since securing her first record contract in 1962. Her career highlights include hits like "I Say A Little Prayer," "Walk On By" and "Don't Make Me Over." She has released 40 studio albums and appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart 69 times. Only Aretha Franklin surpasses her record for most chart appearances by a female vocalist.
Dionne's record deal came through her longtime collaborator and songwriter Burt Bacharach, who wrote "That's What Friends Are For" for Rod Stewart's original version in the 1982 comedy film "Night Shift." Bacharach, famous for creating "What's New Pussycat" and "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head," passed away the same year as Dionne's Los Angeles family performance.
In 1985, Dionne recorded a new version of the Rod Stewart song with her three famous friends, reaching #1 in the US and generating over $3 million for AIDS research. Stevie Wonder plays harmonica in the video, while Elton John recorded the piano part without appearing on screen. This important single won two Grammy Awards: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Song of the Year.
Dionne has secured spots in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award, yet her modest attitude and lively character while performing with her family truly make her iconic. To enjoy more from this music legend, you can follow her YouTube Channel, connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or check her Website for additional outstanding music.
