Todd Rundgren Takes Burt Bacharach’s Songbook on the Road

The partnership between Todd Rundgren and Rob Shirakbari for the “What The World Needs Now – The Burt Bacharach Songbook In Concert” tour is a tribute to the illustrious career of songwriting icon Burt Bacharach. Spanning an impressive catalog of seventy-three U.S. hits, including six number one singles, Bacharach's music features immense cultural staples such as “The Look of Love,” “Walk On By,” and “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.” By celebrating these works, Rundgren embraces a classic repertoire that has undeniably stood the test of time, reflecting the sentiments and embodiments of varied generations.

The concept of a tribute tour came to fruition as Rundgren, who had sworn off doing similar thematic tours after prior engagements that honored The Beatles and David Bowie, found himself irresistibly drawn to the idea of celebrating Bacharach's music. Despite prior grueling experiences, Rundgren was compelled by Bacharach's profound influence on his own songwriting and musical style, making this one offer he couldn't refuse. This extensive involvement speaks volumes about his deep respect and admiration for Bacharach's work—which Rundgren acknowledges as possessing an artistic value that shaped his own musical endeavors.

Rundgren's connection to Bacharach's music dates back to his teenage years when he was initially swept away by the depth and sophistication of Dionne Warwick's album, produced and written by Bacharach. This early experience, combined with his emerging skills as a musician during high school, where he developed a taste for atypical chord structures reflective of Bacharach's style, suggests a deeply rooted influence that would later manifest in Rundgren's own compositions.

Shirakbari's expertise and intimate knowledge of Bacharach's musical constructs are instrumental in conveying the emotive and intricate nature of this musical tribute. With world-class musicians, including bassists like Kasim Sulton and Probyn Gregory, the tour promises to offer audiences a rich and authentic Bacharach experience.

Rundgren himself plans to perform a significant portion of the setlist, mixing both personal selections and those chosen for him, and engaging audience members through interactive segments such as an expected sing-along to “What’s New Pussycat?” His ambition isn’t merely to perform but to breathe new life into these classics, channeling Bacharach's original vision while imparting his interpretative flair.

Special guest appearances, including performances from the Bob a la Moreno's Wendy Moten and others like Colin Hay, are planned to add further diversity and depth to the concerts. There remains a hopeful prospect of a guest appearance by Dionne Warwick, cementing the event's place in modern concert history as both a tribute and celebration of a musical era shaped significantly by Bacharach.

Check Out “What the World Needs Now- The Burt Bacharach Songbook in Concert” Featuring Todd Rundgren 2025 Dates Here:

3/22 Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
3/23 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
3/25 Del Mar, CA – The Sound
3/26 Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre
3/28 Dallas, TX – Longhorn Ballroom
3/29 Houston, TX – Heights Theater
3/31 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
4/01 Akron, OH – Akron Civic Theatre
4/02 Detroit, MI – MotorCity Casino – Sound Board
4/04 Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center
4/05 Atlantic City, NJ – Music Box at Borgata
4/07 Munhall, PA – Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
04/09 Boston, MA – The Wilbur
4/11 Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
4/12 Ridgefield, CT – The Ridgefield Playhouse
4/13 Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theatre
4/15 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
4/16 Annapolis, MD – Maryland Hall
4/18 Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
4/20 Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre
4/22 St. Petersburg, – FL Mahaffey Theater
4/23 Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Parker