Songwriters Hall of Fame

Songwriters Hall of Fame
Map
Established1969
Location
Coordinates34°02′41″N 118°15′53″W / 34.04472°N 118.26472°W / 34.04472; -118.26472
TypeMusic museum
PresidentLinda Moran
Public transit access E Line A Line 
Pico station
Websitesonghall.org

The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) is an American institution founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer, music publisher/songwriter Abe Olman, and publisher/executive Howie Richmond to honor those whose work represent and maintain the heritage and legacy of a spectrum of the most beloved English language songs from the world's popular music songbook. It not only celebrates these established songwriters, but is also involved in the development of new English language songwriting talent through workshops, showcases, and scholarships. There are many programs designed to teach and discover new English language songwriters. Nile Rodgers serves as the organization's chairman.[1]

The Hall of Fame was formed in 1969, and in 2010, an exhibit was put on display online inside the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.[2] The Hall has no permanent place of residence, and because the awards are not televised, there would be no other digital recording of the event for posterity.[3]

There are numerous examples of collaborating songwriters being inducted in unison, with each person being considered a separate entrant. The inaugural year featured 120 inductees, many of whom had a professional partnership, such as Rodgers and Hammerstein. Burt Bacharach and Hal David followed in 1972. Betty Comden and Adolph Green were selected in 1980, and Leiber and Stoller were inducted in 1985. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were inducted in 1987.[4][5] In the same year, Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil were inducted into the SHOF. Motown's Holland-Dozier-Holland team were honored the following year. Elton John and Bernie Taupin were among those chosen in 1992, and the pop music group the Bee Gees had all three brothers inducted in 1994. In 1995, Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe as well as Gamble and Huff were inducted. John Denver was inducted in 1996. The Eagles' Glenn Frey and Don Henley were co-inductees in 2000. Queen was the first rock band to have all their band members inducted in 2003.[6][7] Five members of Earth, Wind & Fire were in the class of 2010. Four members of Kool and the Gang were honored in 2018. Through 2019, 461 individuals were inducted into the SHOF.[citation needed]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was postponed until 2022.[8] The Songwriters Hall of Fame president and CEO, Linda Moran, chose to move the event so that a proper celebration could take place.[9] New 2020 inductees would include Mariah Carey, Chad Hugo, the Isley Brothers, Annie Lennox, Steve Miller, Rick Nowels, William “Mickey” Stevenson, Dave Stewart and Pharrell Williams. Additionally, Jody Gerson of Universal Music Group will be given the Abe Olman Publisher Award and Paul Williams is set to receive the Johnny Mercer Award.[10] On March 8, 2022, the ceremony was officially announced to take place on June 16, 2022, at its longtime location, the Marriott Marquis New York’s Times Square.[11]

  1. ^ "Nile Rodgers Appointed Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  2. ^ "About Us". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  3. ^ "Songwriters Hall of Fame Honorees Range from Gaga to Grateful Dead". Variety. June 18, 2015. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  4. ^ "John Lennon | Songwriters Hall of Fame". www.songhall.org. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  5. ^ "Sir Paul McCartney | Songwriters Hall of Fame". www.songhall.org. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Lives & Music of Queen". ABC. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "2003 Award and Induction Ceremony: Queen". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  8. ^ "Songwriters Hall Of Fame Reschedules 51st Annual Induction And Awards Gala". February 10, 2021. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "Songwriters Hall of Fame Postpones Next Induction Until 2021". Billboard. March 31, 2020. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  10. ^ Jem Aswad (March 31, 2020). "Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Moved to 2021". Variety. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  11. ^ "Songwriters Hall of Fame Confirms 2022 Date: Mariah Carey, Pharrell, Eurythmics Among Honorees". March 8, 2022. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.