Fire Island Celebrity history- Dionne Warwick
1968
Like her hit song, singer Dionne Warwick maybe had to ask about the way to San Jose, but she found her way to Fire Island instead. She initially visited in 1968, but returned to the Pines in 1991 to support many AIDS benefits.
In 1968,
Warwick became the first African American solo female artist to receive a Grammy for "Do You Know the Way to San Jose." By 1970, she had recorded thirty hit singles, close to twenty best-selling albums and received a second Grammy for the album I'll Never Fall In Love Again.
In 1959, Warwick received a music scholarship to the University of Hartford in Connecticut. During a session with The Drifters, music conductor and composer Burt Bacharach heard her unique voice. Warwick signed a recording contract in 1962 and her first single, "Don't Make Me Over," was a hit, attracting both R&B and pop audiences. From 1963 to 1966, Warwick achieved unprecedented success by becoming the first crossover artist to have a dozen consecutive Top 100 hits. Warwick brought her dynamic singing talents and commanding personality to television outlets, as well. She hosted the successful music programs Solid Gold, the Soul Train Music Awards and starred in her own show, Dionne And Friends.
Warwick has used her fame and influence to support causes close to her heart. A tireless activist, Warwick has served as the U.S. ambassador of health, a post that she held through both the Ronald Reagan and George Bush administrations. As one of the first artists to heighten public awareness of the AIDS epidemic, Warwick's concerted efforts raised millions of dollars. In 1991 Dionne returned to Fire Island on the invite of then owner John Whyte to perform at his AIDS benefit “From the Pines with Love.”
The again 1992…
For more than five decades, multi Grammy-winning artist Dionne Warwick has achieved worldwide superstar status with an unparalleled string of hits including "Walk On By," "I Say a Little Prayer," and "That's What Friends Are For," which remain popular among audiences of all ages today.
Dionne Warwick 2022
From reinventing herself on Twitter to still touring she still has something to say and sing. However we will always remember her time on Fire Island.
2023 Kennedy Center Honor.
