(AP) Alan Bergman, the Oscar-winning lyricist who collaborated with his wife, Marilyn, passed away at 99. Their enduring partnership produced timeless hits like “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” and “The Way We Were.”
Bergman died late Thursday at his home in Los Angeles, as confirmed by family spokesman Ken Sunshine. He had been facing respiratory issues recently, but, as stated, “I continued writing songs until the end.”
The couple married in 1958 and remained together until Marilyn’s passing in 2022. Working with notable figures such as Marvin Hamlisch and Quincy Jones, they created hundreds of songs, many of which became film themes. Iconic artists like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and Tony Bennett performed their work. Barbra Streisand enjoyed a close friendship with them and frequently collaborated.
Their lyrics blended old-school sentiment and modern pop, resonating with audiences worldwide. Among their celebrated works are the duet “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” by Streisand and Neil Diamond, Sinatra’s “Nice ‘n’ Easy,” and themes from the ’70s sitcoms “Maude” and “Good Times.” Their film contributions include Ray Charles’ “The Heat of the Night” and “The Windmills of Your Mind” from “The Thomas Crown Affair.”
When Streisand recorded “The Way We Were” for the 1973 romantic film featuring her and Robert Redford, it quickly became a beloved classic. Set to Hamlisch’s bittersweet melody, the song is a reflective ballad reminiscing about nostalgia. It’s known for its impactful opening lines, pulling at the heartstrings of many listeners.
This song was a major hit in 1974 and contributed to the Bergmans’ accolades, which included three Oscars—one for “Windmills of Your Mind” from “The Thomas Crown Affair” and another for “Yentl,” which Streisand directed in 1983. Three of their songs were even nominated for Best Song at the Academy Awards that year.
In addition to their Oscars, the Bergmans earned two Grammy Awards and four Emmys. Alan Bergman’s contributions spanned across various musical forms. Besides their film work, they also wrote the Broadway show “Ballroom” and the symphonic piece “Vision of America.”
Interestingly, their lives seemed intertwined from the start. Although they met as adults, they were born four years apart in the same hospital in Brooklyn. They attended the same children’s concert at Carnegie Hall and later moved to California in 1950, where they crossed paths while working with the same composer but at different times. Their romance had a musical backdrop; Marilyn was a fan of Fred Astaire, and Alan co-wrote “That Face,” which Astaire recorded. He proposed to Marilyn shortly after sharing the news with her.
Bergman is survived by his daughter, Julie, and granddaughter.
From a young age, Bergman aspired to become a songwriter. He studied music and theater at the University of North Carolina, eventually earning a master’s degree from UCLA, where he became friends with Johnny Mercer. Together, he and Marilyn wrote children’s songs before achieving a breakthrough in the late 1950s with the hit “Yellow Bird.” Their connection with Streisand began quickly after, with Marilyn famously telling the young singer, “Do you know how amazing you are?”
Their collaboration was so seamless that they often arrived at the same words together. Alan likened their partnership to sharing household chores, reflecting the closeness they enjoyed. While he was hesitant to name one favorite, he mentioned “Love Like Our Love” as particularly meaningful.
“When love like ours arrives / We will protect it in our lives / We have lost / When a rainy day comes / Love like ours will keep us safe and sound.”
