While there is little to debate about Hal David's contributions to American popular song, - although I note that no one is making much mention of the treacly To All the Girls I've Loved Before, arguably Willie Nelson's lowest moment - I always felt that what endured were the Burt Bacharach melodies.
I worked for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for some twenty years, during which Hal David was either on ASCAP's board of directors or served as president. Rumors abounded about his temper, but the only example I ever witnessed was his arrival for a board meeting. When one left the elevators at ASCAP's headquarters on the sixth floor, one normally went to the front reception desk, to get the attention of the security guards if one wanted to be let in to the board room and executive offices on the opposite side. I routinely saw other board members do that: Marilyn Bergman, Cy Coleman, Johnny Mandel, Morton Gould, Paul Williams among others.
One day, I was in the elevator with him and as I exited, noticed that he turned in the opposite direction and waited by the door, without making the slightest effort to get the attention of the guards' who were busy assisting others. Rather than walk the twenty feet to get their attention, he simply bellowed - yes, bellowed - "Hal David!", at which point he was buzzed in.
Rest in peace.
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