
LOS ANGELES (The Wall-Las Memorias Project/ www.thewalllasmemorias.org) - Dionne Warwick, internationally acclaimed singer and humanitarian whose work on behalf of people with AIDS around the globe has touched millions, will sing the AIDS-inspired song, "That's What
Friends Are For" at the dedication of The Wall-Las Memorias AIDS monument on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2004 at Lincoln Park, on the eastside of Los Angeles.
In honor of long-time friend, Marvin Davis, whom she lost to AIDS, Ms. Warwick is submitting his name to be etched in the monument's granite panels. The AIDS monument will eventually hold the names of approximately 7,500 Californians who lost their lives to AIDS.
"Marvin was a good friend, and someone who meant a lot to me," said Ms. Warwick. "Adding his name to the monument is my way of honoring the memory of our friendship and his life.
"His name, and the thousands of names that will become part of the AIDS monument, will remind us that we cannot be silent in the fight against AIDS."
Ms. Warwick is known internationally not only for an exceptional singing career that spans nearly four decades, but her work in the fight against AIDS.
Nearly 20 years ago, she reunited with producer Burt Bacharach to record "That's What Friends Are For" with longtime friends Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and Elton John. Profits from the sale of that song were donated to AIDS.
This past summer, Ms. Warwick was in Thailand for the 15th International AIDS Conference in support of Nelson Mandela's 46664 campaign to promote the development of prevention, treatment and care of people with AIDS around the world. Warwick is one of several 46664 global ambassadors, including Will Smith, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel and Beyonce.