by John Johnson

It’s not every day you get to speak with a legend, but the moment Dionne Warwick’s unmistakable voice came through the phone line, it was clear this would be no ordinary interview. With a career spanning over six decades, Warwick remains as sharp, soulful, and spirited as ever. Known for timeless hits like “Walk On By” and “I Say a Little Prayer,” she greeted our conversation with warmth and candor, ready to reflect on her remarkable journey through music, fame, and reinvention. As my all to short interview unfolded, her recollections revealed the depth of a woman who’s not only witnessed history—but helped shape it.

I knew our time was limited, so I jumped right in and asked her a question that I realized was not an easy one to answer. Between the time she started with the 50’s gospel group The Drinkard Singers up until her special induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, was there one moment that stood out. “Oh wow,” she gasped “There’s so many, that have been so wonderful.” And during the brief pause, I ran through all the possibilities of what this amazing entertainer could answer with. But with not as much time as I expected for such a broad query, she said firmly, her voice smooth and assured, “I guess if I had to choose one, it would have to be my first Grammy.” She of course is referring to the award for Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance for “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” back in 1968. I guess it’s true when people say that “you always remember your first”. Having done my homework, I knew that Ms. Warwick has one a total of six Grammys. I of course let her know that I am aware of this amazing fact, “You’ve won six, correct?” And she replies with all the confidence you would expect, “Yes I did.”

Born Maria Dionne Warwick in 1940, and having a career that started around 15, she has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, and the aforementioned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so you can see why I assumed that she’d need more time to answer, but no. Along with her so many accolades, she has performed and recorded duets with so many iconic musicians. I ask her about her collaborations with Barry White, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson and of course her cousin Whitney Houston. The list goes on and on, but those are the ones that came to mind first, and I ask her what is one of the most important aspects of a good collaboration. “Collaborating. That’s exactly what we’re doing” she replies “I’ve been so very blessed, and working with all my people that I’ve done duets with…you know, they have to be friends. And it’s easy to work with friends.” It’s at this moment my reflex was to jump in with “Well, that’s what friends are for.” Which, much to my relief, she found humorous enough to bless me with a chuckle and add, “Exactly.”

Along with the previously mentioned lineup of heavy hitters, she’s also had duets with Luther Vandross, Barry Manilow, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton-John and Johnny Mathis. But probably her most important partnering would be the one she shared with composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. After “discovering” her voice on a drifters release in 1962, the trio created some of that era’s most memorable music. Far too many to list here, but I suggest googling them and giving them a listen if you aren’t already aware.

With that illustrious of a past, I ask if there is anyone currently that is carrying on the true spirit of Pop Soul. Without naming anyone specifically, she says endearingly “I think my babies, that’s what I call them, my babies, are doing recording wise, is quite commendable.” She continues with that matriarch almost motherly tone, “I’m thrilled. I enjoy their success and that people are following and supporting them.” She finishes her response with “Music is something that I feel everybody has a part to play. We all sing the same eight notes. And I think my babies are all doing it exceptionally well, and I certainly applaud them.” Of course not too many people can deliver those same eight notes in quite the way Ms. Warwick does, but I tell her I’m sure they’d be thrilled to know that she refers to them as her babies. She responds with a laugh and says with pride, “Well, they are my babies”.

Still on the topic of the younger generation, I ask about her “second act”, where she remains as sharp and spirited as ever, with her social media persona. “What made you embrace social media like you have?” I wonder. “I was with my nieces and nephews, and they were in the living room part of my house, and they were just having the best time giggling, laughing and carrying on.” She continues with a slightly more serious tone “I came up out of my bedroom and asked, What are you guys laughing so about, and Brittany the elder of my nieces showed me. She showed me what she was laughing about and I looked, and it wasn’t very pleasant.” I listened to her tell the story of how enlightened she became with the power of social media, and how she intern enlightened her young family members. “Why are you laughing at this?” She asked her niece, “She said it’s funny and I said well it’s not funny to me. So I knew, as the grownup I needed to remind them about respect and understanding, it’s something that we all have to learn with social media” As I listened further I pictured myself sitting next to her as she imparted the same wisdom I try to instill in my young adult children “I’m gonna ask questions, and you can ask me questions,” she continued “but whatever it is, there’s a way to say what you gotta say, and there’s an easier way to say it. But please, when you’re done saying what you have to say, you should end it with a smile.” Sage advice indeed I thought to myself. “I think they kind enjoyed that, and that’s when it occurred to me, even though I felt like a comedian at the time” she chuckled, “So I thought” as far as social media was concerned, “I could get a little laughter going.” It seems to be working because her Twitter (now X) account has gained a cult following for its sassy, no-nonsense charm. She’s also very active on Facebook and Instagram with the same intellect, wit and often unexpected commentary.

At 84 years young, she brings that exuberance to the Seminole Hard Rock Event Center Wednesday. I asked if she has any surprises she can share. “No. Not really. You’re going to get what you’d expect from me. Some songs that I want to sing, and some babies of mine, songs that I want to introduce.” she continues “Aside from that, come on out and have a good time with me because we love to laugh, and I do to, because there’s quite a bit of laughter…and information.” I respond with “Oh, some storytelling?” And she fires back “Of course, you can’t do a song with out a good story about it.”

As well as her local performance this week, she’ll end this month on the 27th with a historic return to The Apollo Theater, which she’s also a member of that iconic venues Hall of Fame as well. I tell her that it must feel like a full circle moment, having sung there decades ago with The Drinkard Singers. “It absolutely is full circle. Yes. The Apollo was my very first appearance on anybody’s stage.” She recalls fondly, “My gospel group went on amateur night and actually won, scared to death but we did it. So I’m going back now and closing it before they do the renovations. And I’ll probably be asked to open it after, which would be a big thrill. So everybody show up and have a good time with me.” I of course wish in silence how awesome it would be to attend that show, and tell her what an amazing place the Apollo holds in music history. “Oh yes,” she agrees, “what a great stage for the icons of our industry. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr. I mean the list goes on and on and on. They set the bar for all of us and also they embraced me. Which I’m so happy to be able to say. They said, you’re the one we want to keep our eye on, and they did. And I can’t tell you how grateful I am about that”. I listen in awe to the names of the people that define our generations music and its roots and tell her that she took that heavy torch and ran with it. She simply answers with, “Well, that’s what they expected me to do. So I did.”

And she most certainly did run with that torch, for the next 60 years. As much as I would have loved to chat with her for hours, I knew our time was winding down. I thanked her for her time and wished her safe travels and many blessings. Her voice, still elegant and unmistakable, Ms. Dionne Warwick softly replied with words I’ll always hold fondly, “Thank you darling, same to you.”

Now, go See, Hear, and Feel Live Music.