Burt Bacharach, Hal David to Receive Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize on May 9

Burt Bacharach and Hal David will be awarded the Library of Congress’ 2012 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on Wednesday, May 9.

A concert will be held in the honor, which will form the basis of a PBS special to begin airing on May 21. Among the scheduled performers are Sheryl Crow, Michael Feinstein, and Diana Krall.

Bacharach and David received a Tony Award nomination for the score of the Broadway musical Promises, Promises, and their work was the subject of the Broadway revue The Look of Love.

They received an Academy Award for the song “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” Among their many other hits are “The Story of My Life,” “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “What’s New Pussycat?,” “Alfie,” “Close to You,” “The Look of Love,” and “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”

The prize recognizes the work of an artist whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding. The previous recipients of the award, established in 2007, are Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney.