Whether Marlee Matlin knows it or not, Dionne Warwick is a music legend ( a reference to their appearances on the current season of Celebrity Apprentice ) .
She has charted more singles than any other female vocalist next to Aretha Franklin, with a record number of 56 between 1962 through 1998.
Warwick raised more than $3 million for AIDS research with a benefit single, "That's What Friends Are For" ( recorded with Gladys Knight, Sir Elton John and Stevie Wonder ) . She continues to give to charity today even putting herself on the chopping block for reality television. She talked Nuan on One the day after she basically fired herself on Celebrity Apprentice.
Windy City Times: Hello, Miss Warwick. You have had such a long-lasting career and just celebrated 50 years in the business.
Dionne Warwick: It sure has been amazing.
Windy City Times: You were able to look back on your career in a memoir recently.
Dionne Warwick: Yes, My Life as I See It.
Windy City Times: Have you been doing book signings?
Dionne Warwick: Yes, we did some when the book dropped in November. I have done about ten since then. It has been absolutely wonderful the way people have been responding to it the way that I want them to. It is an inspirational memoir about people I have met, the places that I have gone and the things that I have done, also the ups and downs of my career, too. All of it is there.
Windy City Times: If the book were to be made into a movie, who would you want to play you?
Dionne Warwick: Oh my! I think Taraji Henson. She is an exceptional actress and she can sing well. Actually she favors me so it is not too much of a stretch.
Windy City Times: I really like your new jazz album, Only Trust Your Heart.
Dionne Warwick: Oh, good. I am so glad you like it.
Windy City Times: How do you take care of your voice?
Dionne Warwick: The only way someone can take of their voice is rest, which I don't get that much of. It is a muscle and as long as you exercise it, which I do a lot with traveling and all that there is with touring. That is the only thing you can do.
Windy City Times: Speaking of touring, you are heading to Illinois. Will the set be old as well as new?
Dionne Warwick: Yes.
Windy City Times: Is there a classic you particularly like to perform?
Dionne Warwick: The honest answer is all of them based on the fact that I treat my music like my babies. You can't have a favorite out of all of them. Of course I will be doing what people expect me to and throwing in a couple of surprises, too.
Windy City Times: Did you see the musical Promises, Promises with all of the Burt Bacharach music in the production?
Dionne Warwick: No, I didn't.
Windy City Times: Would you ever write a musical?
Dionne Warwick: If I did, it would be my life story.
Windy City Times: That would be perfect!
Dionne Warwick: I agree with you. Now I need to get someone else to feel that way. [ Laughs ]
Windy City Times: I have been watching Celebrity Apprentice, of course.
Dionne Warwick: Of course.
Windy City Times: How do you feel about the experience?
Dionne Warwick: It was an interesting show, very very interesting. The fact that Donald Trump has thought enough of charities to create a show based on that is I think a brilliant idea. He's a brilliant man, what can I tell you? He is the ultimate business man. I had an interesting time. I got to know things about some people and when they would ask my opinion I would give that to them personally. It gave people an opportunity to show what they are capable of doing.
Windy City Times: The women's team was particularly fun to watch.
Dionne Warwick: Oh, it was!
Windy City Times: I can't get enough of NeNe Leakes' crazy.
Dionne Warwick: [ Laughs ]
Windy City Times: Do you currently live in Brazil?
Dionne Warwick: I currently live in New Jersey and Brazil.
Windy City Times: So you go back and forth?
Dionne Warwick: Yes.
Windy City Times: Do you speak Portuguese?
Dionne Warwick: Oh, um pouco ( a little ) . Enough to get by…
Windy City Times: Gladys Knight is coming to town also and Elton John is here pretty often as well. Do you still keep in touch with any of your friends from the group on "That's What Friends Are For?"
Dionne Warwick: Absolutely. They have been friends for many, many years. Friends stay in touch with each other.
Windy City Times: Have you talked to cousin, Whitney Houston?
Dionne Warwick: Oh, yeah I was just with her last month.
Windy City Times: Well, it has been fun talking to a legend and I look forward to seeing you at the show.
Dionne Warwick: Thank you very much.
"Do You Know the Way to" Joliet? Dionne arrives at the Rialto Square Theatre, 15 E. Van Buren, Joliet, Friday April 8. To purchase tickets visit www.rialtosquare.com . For more Dionne, log onto www.dionnewarwick.info .
