Dionne Warwick never expected to last this long in entertainment. She's celebrating 64 years in the business with a retrospective at the Apollo Theater on June 27. David Corio, Getty Images
When Dionne Warwick began her career in the music business, she said she gave herself five years to “do the whole music thing.”
“Those five years went by so fast,” she said. “And here I am, now, 64 years later, and it’s like, oh, you’re still doing it.”
The music icon and East Orange native will continue to wow audiences later this month during her new multimedia show, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over," at 7:30 p.m. on June 27 at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
The retrospective of her legendary career will feature film, video, photos, music, and live narration — in her own words. Warwick’s two sons, Damon and David Elliott, will sing alongside her in their debut performance at the Apollo.
Mosaic sat down with the 84-year-old idol to discuss her career, popular culture and her future plans. Here’s what she had to say.
Mosaic: You were one of the first Black women to achieve mainstream success in pop music. Did you realize in those early years just how much you were breaking ground?
Warwick: I had no idea whatsoever.
Mosaic: How do you feel when you see younger artists — like Beyoncé or Lizzo — cite you as an influence?
Warwick: I think it’s absolutely wonderful that they recognize that there was a shuttered and closed door that nobody could open until, for some reason, it opened for me, which made it possible for them to do what they’re doing today. I’m thrilled about their success. I think it is wonderful.
Mosaic: Your collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Hal David produced timeless songs like “Don’t Make Me Over," Walk on By," and "I Say a Little Prayer." Is there a song in your catalog that means something different to you now than when you first recorded it?
Warwick: Of course, they all have. You know, they’ve grown with me as I’ve grown, and, of course, meanings of certain words have taken on different connotations.
Mosaic: Your Twitter presence made a whole new generation fall in love with your wit, and your followers dubbed you the “Queen of Twitter.” What drew you to the platform?
Warwick: My nieces and nephews were on Twitter one afternoon at my house, and they were giggling and carrying on, so I went to see what they were laughing about. My niece, Brittany, showed me, and honestly, I wasn’t too pleased with what she was laughing at.
I asked her to show me how to tweet — though, at first, I was calling it “tweetering.” My first tweet was to let people know that a grown-up was now present and that I wasn’t happy with what I was seeing being shared.
I told them it’s okay to ask questions and say things, but there’s a way to say it. So, let’s think about how we ask questions or speak to others. The most important thing I told them was that they could always ask me anything because I’m going to start asking them things, too. And I want them to always remember to end with a smile.
Mosaic: Who are some of the famous people that follow you?
Warwick: It started with Chance the Rapper — he was kind of surprised that I even knew who he was. I kept in touch with him, and over time, we became friends. Eventually, we decided to record together, which was really exciting.
And The Weeknd when I playfully made fun of how he spelled “end. A few others jumped on my tweets, just having some fun with me.
Mosaic: You’ve never stopped moving forward. What’s exciting you most creatively right now?
Warwick: You know, I have big aspirations for what I’m doing now with the show, and I’m really having a great time doing it. We just wrapped up a 15-day tour, and the response overseas was incredible.
And I really believe it’s going to go over well [at the Apollo], especially because so many people have had that “Oh, I thought…” kind of reaction — assumptions without real understanding. Now, they’re going to get the real deal. They’re going to hear it straight from the source — me.
People appreciate being able to say, “Oh, okay, now I don’t have to wonder — now I know.” And that, really, is the heart of what the show is about.
Mosaic: What will we see in your show?
Warwick: You’ve gotta come see - I certainly hope that my folks will come on out and have some fun with me.
Mosaic: Miss Warwick, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
Warwick: Just looking forward to seeing everybody, and, hopefully, they’ll enjoy what I’ve got to offer them.
To get tickets for “Dionne Warwick - ”Don’t Make Me Over In person and in Her Own Words” visit Ticketmaster. The Apollo’s Historic Theater is located at 253 W. 125th St. in New York.
Stories by Ande Richards
Ande Richards may be reached at arichards@njadvancemedia.com.
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