Dionne Warwick :: the pop diva speaks...

According to Billboard Magazine, Dionne Warwick is ranked as the 30th most popular hit maker in the history of the rock era based on the Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts.� With 5 Grammys, 9 Billboard number ones, and 44 Billboard Top Tens in her illustrious career, it is no wonder why Dionne Warwick is considered one of the most prolific female singers of our time. At 69 years of age, the legendary vocalist makes a rare San Francisco appearance as part of the Rrazz Entertainment Concert Series at the Castro Theater on February 6, just in time to put her audience in the mood for love during the Valentine month of February.�

As I visited with Ms. Warwick, I had an opportunity to cover her almost 50 years in the music business, her thoughts on the future of pop and hip-hop music, what she thinks of her own music, and her activism in the gay community.�

The Friends

As a top hit maker in the music business for many years, Dionne, of course, was provided the access to many of the most famous and talented persons to work with. Producers and other vocal artists wanted an opportunity to work with her, and some, most notably in the U.K., even emulated her. Over the course of recording and performing for almost 50 years, Dionne has forged some wonderful friendships with fellow musicians.�

BeBe:� You have made some of the most popular duet records with the likes of Johnny Mathis, the Spinners, Luther Vandross and Jeffrey Osborne. Anyone you wanted to record with but never had the opportunity.�

Dionne: Earth, Wind & Fire I would love to record with.�

BeBe: Social struggles and issues such as the civil rights movement, including Marriage Equality, have been the catalyst bringing many people together to forge long lasting friendships. Over the years, you have developed strong friendships with fellow legends Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight.� What was the catalysts that brought you ladies together as BFFs (Best Friends Forever)?�

Dionne: I've known both Gladys and Patti since I have been in the business (49 years), and during the early years, friendships were began while we were all on the road together doing tours. I am very lucky to have made many friends, including these two ladies, that continue to last.�

BeBe: Rumored for years to have been apart of the gay community, Luther Vandross was very public about his respect for you, and a few of the singing Divas of the 60s, which he showed by covering one of your classics, "Anyone Who Had A Heart."� How mutual was the respect and admiration?�

Dionne: Luther was very dear to me, and was more than a friend. I considered him family. He was one of the most talented people that I knew. We are all fortunate his legacy through his music will live on.� Story continues on following page.

Watch Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle and Dionne Warwick sing "Superwoman."

The Music

With 68 of her hits charting on Billboard's Top 100 Singles Charts, and subsequently being played all over the radio, it is no wonder that Dionne has had much influence in the music industry, especially with pop female vocalists. Many artists have emulated her to create their own success, most notably the U.K.'s Dusty Springfield and Cilla Black. Many music artists have covered or sampled her music. And her influence has led to much respect by her peers when it comes to the music being made for and played on the airwaves. Dionne has not been shy when speaking on her thoughts of the direction of modern music, most vociferously about hip-hop.�

BeBe: "Do You Know The Way To San Jose?" was a big hit for you and a favorite of many of your fans, but is it a favorite of yours?�

Dionne: In the beginning it was not a favorite of mine, but since I had the opportunity to re-record it with the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, I have grown to love it.��

BeBe:� What are some of your favorites that you have recorded?�

Dionne:� They are all my favorites as I treat them like my children.�

BeBe:� Your initial career was built on the songs written by Burt Bacharach and Hal Davis, making you the first real Pop Diva with a Gospel flair. Knowing that history and trends repeat themselves, your cousin Whitney Houston followed a similar recording formula 20 years after your success, and now 25 years after Whitney's first album, do you think we are in store for another round of Pop/Gospel Divas with singers like Jennifer Hudson?�

Dionne:� Bacharach and David wrote wonderful songs for me to sing, and I am sure of the young ladies coming up�in the industry (today), the majority of them do have gospel backgrounds. So, the answer is yes!�

BeBe: With your sister Dee Dee Warwick, your aunt Cissy Houston, and your cousin Whitney Houston, it is no secret that the talent runs deep in the family bloodline. Outside of the music production of your sons, David and Damion Elliott, do you have other family members on the rise in the music business?�

Dionne:� I feel my grand-daughter Cheyenne (David's daughter) will be the one the torch will be handed down to. Everyone in my family sings.�

BeBe:� In the early 90s, you were very vocal in your disgust with the lyrics used in hip-hop music, a music form that has not been very kind to the gay community in general in the past. And then you made some amends with the Hip-hop community by recording a remake of "What The World Needs Now" with some of its stars. Are you currently pleased with the direction of hip-hop today?�

Dionne: It appears that hip-hop recording artists are now concentrating on positive love, and that's a good thing.�Story continues on following page.

Watch Dionne Warwick sing "I'll Never Love This Way Again."

The Concert

Her February 6 performance at the Castro Theater will be Ms. Warwick's first in San Francisco in some time. With Brazil now called home, it is a rarity to have a Dionne Warwick performance anywhere in the States. Expecting quite a rush for tickets because of Dionne's massive public appeal, Rrazz Entertainment has chosen the historic Castro Theater to accommodate the audience, as opposed to the more intimately sized Rrazz Room, home of most of its concert series. With her much of her activism directed toward the fight against AIDS, it is very appropriate to have her perform in the gayest neighborhood in the world, the Castro in San Francisco.�

BeBe: So you bypassed San Jose this time around, and you are performing in the historical Castro Theater in the heart of San Francisco's gay community. What do you think it is that has made you a favorite of the gay community over the years?�

Dionne: I would hope the music that I have recorded has become favorites over these many years.�

BeBe: You have always been a philanthropic to causes in which you believe, and your biggest hit, "That's What Friends Are For", was a fundraising record for the fight against AIDS. Once a United States and United Nations Ambassador, what are the causes you are donating your time and money to these days?�

Dionne: I am still in the fight against AIDS and will be until it has been COMPLETELY stopped. With what has happened in Haiti, I think not only�am I�concerned and doing all that I can do to help those who were devastated by the earthquake get back on the road to recovery,�(but) I feel the world has become involved on one accord (or another) to try to help.�

BeBe: If you be able to enjoy San Francisco while you are here for your performance, what are some of the things you may take in on your visit?�

Dionne:� Unfortunately I won't this time. But, I have enjoyed the Bay Area on many occasions.��

It is evident that it is not quite over yet for this legendary Diva who still has much to share with her audience and fellow mankind. Without Dionne Warwick, we can only imagine how much Pop would be missing from our music.�

Rrazz Entertainment Presents Dionne Warwick, Saturday, February 6, Castro Theater 429 Castro Street, 8pm, $27.50 - $84.50, www.therrazzroom.com , www.castrotheater.com ��

Watch Dionne Warwick Live at the Paris Olympia 1966.