The iconic song “That’s What Friends Are For,” famously associated with Elton John and Dionne Warwick, has a charmingly impromptu origin story. It all began with a chance encounter and a little bit of Beverly Hills grocery shopping.
According to Dionne Warwick, the collaboration sparked the day before she was scheduled to record the track in 1986. Running into Elton John, Warwick’s invitation was as casual as it was impactful. “I said, ‘I’m recording tomorrow and I need you.’ That’s how simple it was,” she recounted to PEOPLE, highlighting the spur-of-the-moment nature of the now-classic song.
Elton John’s prompt agreement was just the beginning. Warwick’s vision for “That’s What Friends Are For” expanded to include more of her talented friends, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. This powerhouse quartet convened to record the song, a move that would propel it to the top of the Billboard charts and earn Warwick her fifth Grammy Award. The song’s success cemented its place in music history, but its impact went far beyond chart positions and accolades.
The initiative to dedicate the song’s proceeds to amFAR, The American Foundation for AIDS Research, came from Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor, a friend of the song’s writers, Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, was present during the recording session and recognized the song’s potential to become a powerful anthem.
“[Elizabeth] felt the song could be an anthem to help get the point across about the need for help, and also to help get amFAR up and running,” Warwick explained. Taylor’s insight proved invaluable. “That’s What Friends Are For” transcended its musical origins, evolving into a symbol of AIDS awareness and compassion. It is estimated that the song raised around $3 million for amFAR, significantly contributing to the fight against AIDS.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(634×0:636×2)/regan-warwrick-1-f76ca5f89f284c80b42ec325a6b5a507.jpg)
Dionne Warwick’s commitment to AIDS awareness extended beyond the recording studio. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan appointed her as an honorary ambassador of health, recognizing her influence and dedication to public outreach. Warwick played a pivotal role in bringing the AIDS crisis to the forefront of public discourse. Notably, she recounts in her autobiography how she directly prompted President Reagan to publicly acknowledge AIDS at a press conference, breaking through his previous reluctance to utter the word.
“He would not say the word AIDS,” Warwick stated. “He evaded it in every fashion that he could. I didn’t understand why.” Despite this evasion, Warwick seized an opportunity during a press conference. “I said our president was benevolent enough to make me an Ambassador of Health,” she recalled. By directly asking, “‘President Reagan, what is that disease you’re talking about?'” she created a moment where he had to publicly name AIDS, marking a significant step in public awareness.
Warwick’s personal connection to the AIDS epidemic fuels her ongoing activism. “I lost my valet to AIDS and that was long before we knew what it was,” she shared, emphasizing the personal tragedy that motivated her. The impact of AIDS within the entertainment industry was profound, affecting not just performers but also the wider network of professionals. “We lost so many people, especially within our industry, hairdressers, makeup people, cameramen, lighting people, so many in the areas that revolved around my profession.”
Even after a remarkable 58-year career and selling over 100 million records, Dionne Warwick remains dedicated to the cause. “I will continue to do my part as long as it’s around,” she affirms, speaking about the ongoing fight for education and a cure for AIDS. Her passion for her work and her unwavering commitment to making a difference are evident. “I don’t know what it means to slow down,” Warwick concludes. “I love what I do. I don’t consider it work. It’s just an extension of me.” The story of “That’s What Friends Are For” is more than just a song; it’s a testament to friendship, collaboration, and the power of music to drive social change, spearheaded by artists like Elton John and Dionne Warwick.
