Bacharach and Hal David attend birthday celebration

HAL DAVID (1921-2012)

Legendary songwriter, Hal David died the other day and I decided to bump this article from last year. These story was written after I attended Hal David’s 90th birthday. Lots of celebrities showed up: Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, Paul Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson, Kirk Douglas, Norman Lear, B.J.Thomas, Monty Hall, Former California Governor Gray Davis, Herb Alpert, Lani Hall, Jackie DeShannon, and several others. It was a great night. To be honest – I ran out of items to get autographed! I must have gotten 22-23 signatures that night. Here’s a few of the highlights:

What’s New Pussycat signed LP

Check out these autograph soundtrack LPs: What’s New Pussycat signed by Bacharach, Hal David, and Dionne Warwick.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid signed LP

I was also able to get Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid signed by Bacharach, David, and B.J. Thomas who sang the memorable tune: Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head. Hal David is usually a ‘one-er’ when it comes to autographing memorabilia – but he was in a celebratory mood and signed pretty much everything that was handed to him.

Burt Bacharach signed LP

Burt Bacharach has always been very generous to autograph collectors. Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen Bacharach around town now for about three years, so I was extremely excited about adding a few new autographs to my collection.  Bacharach has written more Top 40 songs than the Beatles! He rarely makes personal appearances anymore though, so it has become fairly difficult to secure autographs. He has an unusual signature as you can see. It’s very choppy looking. I’ve seen numerous examples though of his autograph and this is his standard signature.

Dionne Warwick signs autographs

Valley of the Dolls – Dionne Warwick signed soundtrack LP

Dionne Warwick is also a great signer. She’ll usually autograph multiple items for you if the situation is right. She kept walking in and out of the backstage area. We hit her up for autographs every time she stepped out the door – and she graciously signed each time! I was able to get about six or seven records signed. Warwick has a very cool looking autograph: She inserts the word “Love” inside her name.

Dionne Warwick Autograph with the word “Love”

Dionne Warwick autograph sample 2

Dwight Yoakam Signs Guitar

Dwight Yoakam performed at the show and I was able to add his name to a guitar I’m working on. I’ve already got Glen Campbell to sign this Fender Squire guitar and I’m hoping to add a few more autographs. Dwight is a good signer. He’ll always walk over to collectors to sign a few items.

Dwight Yoakam autographed vinylSmokey Robinson Attends Event

SMOKEY ROBINSON: BAD AUTOGRAPH SIGNER

Smokey Robinson attends event – refuses autograph request

On the other hand: Smokey Robinson is simply horrible when it comes to signing autographs. I’ve seen this guy at numerous appearances and witnessed him sign an autograph ONCE – and he only did it that time very begrudgingly.  Overall, the guy just completely ignores autograph requests. He’ll act nice and smile – but he just completely ignores fans. I did witness Smokey signing an autograph ONE time. Several years ago, I saw Smokey sign an LP – he wouldn’t use a sharpie. He would only sign the insert sleeve, insisted on a name, would only sign the item using a ball-point pen - no sharpie. That was several years ago. Smokey Robinson is just a really bad signer. Possibly one of the worst. It’s too bad.

Paul Williams at Hal David’s Birthday BashPaul Williams autograph vinyl for The Muppet Movie

Paul Williams autograph vinyl for The Muppet Movie

Here’s a soundtrack for The Muppet Movie, Paul Williams signed for me.  In contrast to Smokey Robinson, when I asked for a signature on this album Paul Williams said to me: “Thank you for asking.”  How nice is that? Williams was one of the presenters for Hal David’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jackie DeShannon signed baseball

I was able to get a few baseballs signed as well. They’ve already sold! Jackie DeShannon, still looking lovely signed for fans. I was also able to get baseballs signed by Monty Hall and B.J. Thomas.

Let’s Make a Deal !! Monty Hall signed a baseball for meBJ Thomas signs autographs

Monty Hall signed baseball

B.J. Thomas is a fairly rare name for Los Angeles. What a nice guy. He signed everything presented to him and talked briefly about baseball in this exclusive video [SEE BELOW]

BJ Thomas signs autographs

B.J. Thomas signed baseball

Sorry… all the baseballs are SOLD!