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Warwick’s 1982 album, “Heartbreaker,” co-produced by Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees,
became an international chart-topper. In 1985, she reunited with composer Burt
Bacharach and longtime friends Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder to record
the landmark song “That’s What Friends Are For,” which became a number one hit
record around the world and the first recording dedicated to raising awareness and major
funds (over $3 Million) for the AIDS cause in support of AMFAR, which Warwick
continues to support.
Throughout the 1980′s and 1990′s, Warwick collaborated with many of her musical
peers, including Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne,
Kashif and Stevie Wonder. Warwick was also host of the hit television music show,
“Solid Gold.” In addition, she recorded several theme songs, including “Champagne
Wishes & Caviar Dreams,” for the popular television series “Lifestyles of the Rich &
Famous,” and “The Love Boat,” for the hit series from Aaron Spelling. In November,
2006 Warwick recorded an album of duets, “My Friends & Me,” for Concord Records, a
critically acclaimed Gospel album, “Why We Sing,” for Rhino/Warner Records, and a
new jazz album, ”Only Trust Your Heart,” a collection of standards, celebrating the music
of legendary composer Sammy Cahn for Sony Red/MPCA Records.
Additionally, in September 2008, Warwick added “author” to her list of credits with two
best-selling children’s books, “Say A Little Prayer,” and “Little Man,” and her first best-
selling autobiography, “My Life As I See It” for Simon & Schuster.
Always one to give back, Warwick has supported and campaigned for many causes and
charities close to her heart, including AIDS, The Starlight Foundation, children’s
hospitals, world hunger, disaster relief and music education for which she has been
recognized and honored and has raised millions of dollars. In 1987, she was appointed
the first United States Ambassador of Health by President Ronald Reagan and in 2002,
served as Global Ambassador for Health and Ambassador for the United Nations’ Food
& Agriculture Organization (FAO), and she continues to serve as Ambassador today. In
recognition of her accomplishments and support of education, a New Jersey school was
named in her honor, the Dionne Warwick Institute for Economics and Entrepreneurship.
Warwick was also a key participating artist in the all-star charity single, “We Are the
World,” and in 1984, performed at “Live Aid.”
Celebrating 50 years in entertainment, and the 25th Anniversary of “That’s What Friends
Are For,” Warwick hosted and headlined an all-star benefit concert for World Hunger
Day in London. In addition, she was honored by AMFAR in a special reunion
performance of “That’s What Friends are For,” alongside Elton John, Gladys Knight and
Stevie Wonder at AMFAR’s Anniversary Gala in New York City. Warwick also received
the prestigious 2011 Steve Chase Humanitarian Arts & Activism Award by the Desert