Stars of Broadway, film and television, alongside music superstars and politicians, gathered to celebrate the 75th birthday of Dionne Warwick—mother, humanitarian and icon. Convened in secret, in the private dining room of Mr. Chow’s restaurant in New York, guests waited for a woman who has achieved more in her 75 years than most could with two lifetimes.
Born into a talented clan of musicians on Dec. 12, 1940, by 1962 she was one of the 40 biggest hit makers of the entire pop music era. Her hits wooed not just America, but the world at large when she sang, “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Walk on By” and her trademark tune, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” which was her first Grammy winner. Guests included Rep. Charles Rangel, music executive Clive Davis, soul singer Chuck Jackson, Cissy Houston, Leslie Uggams, Freddie Washington, Melba Moore and renowned music director Ray Chew, among many more. Clearly moved, Warwick beamed and repeated “Thank you” as DJ legend Easy Mo Bee hit the ones and twos.
After a series of proclamations, which included one presented by Rangel and two from the State of New Jersey, one of which declared Dec. 11 Dionne Warwick Day throughout the state and another declaring Dionne Warwick Day in East Orange, N. J., large placards announced the launch of the Dionne Warwick Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting access to resources and information that empowers health and well being. As a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health, she has long been a visionary in holistic health and wellness.
