Megon McDonough Performs Tribute to Burt Bacharach & Hal David
bassist Jon Paul as they take you on a nostalgic journey through the timeless hits of composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David in her captivating show, "What the World Needs Now." The performance will take place on Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake. Tickets range from $30 to $40, or $21 to $28 for RaueNOW members.
In this romantic, 90-minute show, McDonough, Simon and Paul pay homage to the iconic duo of Bacharach and David, one of the most beloved and prolific songwriting duos of the 20th century. The show features some of Bacharach’s most famous songs, “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Walk On By,” “Close To You,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’,” “What The World Needs Now,” “Alfie,” “The Look of Love” and “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again.”
Bacharach and David’s prolific partnership yielded numerous pop hits throughout the decades. Their collaboration began in 1957 and quickly yielded success, as their song "The Story of My Life" made its mark on the U.S. country music charts only a year later. During the '60s and '70s, Bacharach and David wrote for some of the biggest names in the recording industry, including Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Gene Pitney, Bobby Vinton and Lou Johnson, who released the first version of their hit "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me." Their song "Walk on By" became one of Warwick's classic numbers, and Dusty Springfield gained notoriety with their songs "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" and "Wishin' and Hopin.’”
Collectively, they garnered over 20 Grammy nominations and won 10 Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, and an Oscar. Their music transcends generational boundaries, captivating audiences of all ages. Although David died in 2012 and Bacharach passed away earlier this year, their music continues to inspire listeners.
McDonough, who currently lives in Huntley, IL, says she is especially excited to bring this show to Crystal Lake, because that’s where she grew up before becoming a professional singer at the age of 14.
“I grew up in Crystal Lake listening to so many records that were filled with hits written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, so this is really like reliving my childhood for me,” McDonough says of the show.
After winning a singing competition through WLS radio when she was 14, McDonough secured a record contract and went on to tour with John Denver, Steve Martin, Harry Chapin and others. Later, she became one of the inaugural members of The Four Bitchin’ Babes, touring with them from 1990 through 2001. Today, McDonough continues to perform a mixture of folk and cabaret music at venues throughout the country.