Burt Bacharach

American pianist and composer of popular music. He studied piano and played as an accompanist before becoming famed for his own compositions. His work is lush, melodic and has soft rhythms based on Latin beats and soft-rock, such as "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head," which won the Oscar in 1970.

His second of four marriages was to Angie Dickinson in 1965; they divorced after 11 years of marriage, in 1982, and six years of separation, with one child, Nikki, born in 1966. Bacharach and Dickinson's relationship suffered severely when Nikki was born three months premature with severe eye problems. It also didn't help that, according to Angie, Burt cheated on her; she did not remarry.

In 1978, he met Carole Bayer Sager when he asked her to add lyrics to some of his music. After a year of collaboration, they fell in love and married in 1982. A great professional match, they shared a 1981 Academy Award for "Arthur's Theme," and a 1987 Grammy for "That's What Friends Are For." Their personal collaboration dissolved with their separation in December 1990, and officially in July 1991 when Sager filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Their marriage produced one adopted son, five-year-old Christopher Elton. His fourth marriage, to Jane, resulted in one son, Oliver, and one daughter, Raleigh.

Bacharach saw his first horse race at 14 and fell in love with the graceful animals. In 1983 he bought his first racehorse and was so obsessed that he could not even write a note for six months. From then on, he spent spare time with his horses and the races.

In April 2000, Bacharach stumbled on a darkened stage at the Indiana Roof Ballroom during a sound check, and his fall required shoulder-replacement surgery. On 19 March 2001, he filed a $15 million lawsuit against a company headed by Indiana Pacers owner Melvin Simon, owners of the ballroom.