Marie Dionne Warwick, an American singer, actress, and television host, was born on December 12, 1940. She ranks among the 40 biggest U.S. hit makers between 1955 and 1999, with 56 of her singles making the Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998, and 80 singles in total making the Hot 100, R&B and/or adult contemporary charts.
Throughout her career, Warwick has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including six Grammy Awards. She has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the R&B Music Hall of Fame, and the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame.
Warwick was born in Orange, New Jersey, to Lee Drinkard and Mancel Warrick. Her mother was the manager of the Drinkard Singers, and her father was a Pullman porter, chef, record promoter, and CPA. Warwick was named after her aunt on her mother's side.
She had a sister, Delia ("Dee Dee"),who died in 2008, and a brother, Mancel Jr., who was killed in an accident in 1968 at age 21. Warwick's parents were both African American, and she also has Native American and Dutch ancestry.
Warwick was raised in East Orange, New Jersey, and was a Girl Scout for a time. After finishing East Orange High School in 1959, she pursued her passion at the Hartt College of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut. She landed some work with her group singing backing vocals for recording sessions in New York City.
During one session, Warwick met Burt Bacharach, who hired her to record demos featuring songs written by him and lyricist Hal David. She later landed her own record deal. Many of Warwick's family were members of the Drinkard Singers, a family gospel group and RCA recording artists who frequently performed throughout the New York metropolitan area.
Marie instructed the group, and they were managed by Lee. As they became more successful, Lee and Marie began performing with the group, and they were augmented by pop/R&B singer Judy Clay, whom Lee had unofficially adopted.
