Songwriters Hall of Fame

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Songwriters Hall of Fame

Established	1969
Location	Grammy Museum at L.A. Live (current; temporary) Brill Building (proposed; permanent)
Coordinates	34°02′41″N 118°15′53″W / 34.04472°N 118.26472°W / 34.04472; -118.26472
Type	Music museum
President	Linda Moran
Public transit access	Pico station
Website	songhall.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]

The Abe Olman Publisher Award is given to publishers who have had a substantial number of songs that have become world-renowned and who have helped to further the careers and success of many songwriters.^[12]

• 1983 – Howard S. Richmond
• 1986 – Leonard Feist^[13][14]
• 1987 – Lou Levy
• 1988 – Buddy Killen
• 1990 – Charles Koppelman & Martin Bandier
• 1991 – Frank Military & Jay Morgenstern
• 1992 – Bonnie Bourne
• 1993 – Berry Gordy
• 1994 – Buddy Morris
• 1995 – Al Gallico
• 1996 – Freddy Bienstock
• 1997 – Gene Goodman
• 1998 – Irwin Z. Robinson
• 1999 – Bill Lowery
• 2000 – Julian Aberbach
• 2001 – Ralph Peer
• 2002 – Edward P. Murphy
• 2003 – Nicholas Firth
• 2004 – Les Bider
• 2005 – Beebe Bourne
• 2006 – Allen Klein
• 2007 – Don Kirshner^[15]
• 2008 – Milt Okun
• 2009 – Maxyne Lang
• 2010 – Keith Mardak
• 2012 – Lance Freed
• 2017 – Caroline Bienstock^[16]
• 2022 – Jody Gerson^[17][18]

The Board of Directors Award is presented to an individual selected by the SHOF Board in recognition of his or her service to the songwriting community and the advancement of popular music.^[19]

• 1986 – Jule Styne
• 1988 – Stanley Adams
• 1992 – Edward P. Murphy
• 1996 – Anna Sosenko & Oscar Brand
• 1997 – Thomas A. Dorsey

The Contemporary Icon Award was established in 2015 to recognize songwriter-artists who attained an iconic status in pop culture.^[20]

• 2015 – Lady Gaga^[21]
• 2019 – Justin Timberlake^[22]

In 2017, Pitbull was presented the Global Ambassador Award.^[23] The award is given to an individual "whose music has true worldwide appeal, crossing genre, cultural and national boundaries".^[24]

First presented in 2004 as the Starlight Award, the prize was renamed in 2006 as the Hal David Starlight Award in honor of the SHOF Chairman's longtime support of young songwriters.^[25][26] Award recipients are gifted songwriters who are at an apex in their careers and are making a significant impact in the music industry via their original songs.^[27]

• 2004 – Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty)
• 2005 – Alicia Keys
• 2006 – John Mayer
• 2007 – John Legend
• 2008 – John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls)
• 2009 – Jason Mraz
• 2010 – Taylor Swift
• 2011 – Drake
• 2012 – Ne-Yo
• 2013 – Benny Blanco
• 2014 – Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons)
• 2015 – Nate Ruess (Fun)
• 2016 – Nick Jonas
• 2017 – Ed Sheeran
• 2018 – Sara Bareilles
• 2019 – Halsey
• 2022 - Lil Nas X
• 2023 - Post Malone
• 2024 - SZA

The Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award is given to musical artists who have had a substantial number of hit songs across a lengthy career, and who, according to the Hall of Fame, "recognize the importance of songs and their writers".^[28][29]

• 1981 – Chuck Berry
• 1983 – Rosemary Clooney & Margaret Whiting
• 1990 – Whitney Houston
• 1991 – Barry Manilow
• 1995 – Michael Bolton
• 1996 – Gloria Estefan
• 1998 – Diana Ross
• 1999 – Natalie Cole
• 2000 – Johnny Mathis
• 2001 – Dionne Warwick
• 2002 – Garth Brooks
• 2003 – Clive Davis
• 2008 – Anne Murray
• 2009 – Tom Jones
• 2010 – Phil Ramone
• 2011 – Chaka Khan
• 2014 – Doug Morris
• 2016 – Seymour Stein
• 2018 – Lucian Grainge

The Johnny Mercer Award is the highest honor bestowed by the event. It goes to writers already inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for having established a history of outstanding creative works.^[30][31][32]

• 1980 – Frank Sinatra^[33]
• 1981 – Yip Harburg
• 1982 – Harold Arlen
• 1983 – Sammy Cahn
• 1985 – Alan Jay Lerner
• 1986 – Mitchell Parish
• 1987 – Jerry Herman
• 1990 – Jerry Bock & Sheldon Harnick
• 1991 – Betty Comden & Adolph Green
• 1992 – Burton Lane
• 1993 – Jule Styne
• 1994 – Irving Caesar
• 1995 – Cy Coleman
• 1996 – Burt Bacharach & Hal David
• 1997 – Alan and Marilyn Bergman
• 1998 – Paul Simon
• 1999 – Stephen Sondheim
• 2000 – Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
• 2001 – Billy Joel
• 2002 – Carole King
• 2003 – Jimmy Webb
• 2004 – Stevie Wonder
• 2005 – Smokey Robinson
• 2006 – Kris Kristofferson
• 2007 – Dolly Parton
• 2008 – Paul Anka
• 2009 – Holland–Dozier–Holland
• 2010 – Phil Collins
• 2011 – Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
• 2013 – Elton John & Bernie Taupin
• 2014 – Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff
• 2015 – Van Morrison
• 2016 – Lionel Richie
• 2017 – Alan Menken
• 2018 – Neil Diamond
• 2019 – Carole Bayer Sager
• 2022 – Paul Williams^[17][18]
• 2023 – Tim Rice
• 2024 - Diane Warren

The Patron of the Arts is presented to influential industry executives who are not primarily in the music business but are great supporters of the performing arts.^[34]

• 1988 – Martin Segal
• 1989 – Roger Enrico
• 1990 – Edgar Bronfman Jr.
• 1991 – Edwin M. Cooperman
• 1992 – Jonathan Tisch
• 1993 – Michel Roux
• 1994 – Philip Dusenberry
• 1995 – Theodore J. Forstmann
• 1996 – Sumner Redstone
• 1997 – Dr. Samuel LeFrak
• 1998 – David Checketts
• 1999 – Robert Mondavi
• 2001 – Iris Cantor
• 2002 – Stephen Swid
• 2003 – Martin Bandier
• 2004 – Michael Goldstein
• 2005 – Henry Juszkiewicz
• 2023 - Anthony Mason

The Pioneer Award was established in 2012 to recognize the career of a historic creator of an extensive body of musical work that has been a major influence on generations of songwriters.^[35][36]

• 2012 – Woody Guthrie
• 2013 – Berry Gordy

Named for the former President of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals or teams who are recognized as having done a great deal to further the successes of songwriters.^[37]

• 1980 – Ethel Merman
• 1981 – Tony Bennett
• 1982 – Dinah Shore
• 1983 – Willie Nelson
• 1984 – Benny Goodman
• 1985 – John Hammond
• 1987 – Jerry Wexler
• 1988 – Dick Clark
• 1989 – Quincy Jones
• 1990 – B.B. King
• 1991 – Gene Autry
• 1992 – Nat King Cole
• 1993 – Ray Charles
• 1994 – Lena Horne
• 1995 – Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé
• 1996 – Frankie Laine
• 1997 – Vic Damone
• 1998 – Berry Gordy
• 1999 – Kenny Rogers
• 2000 – Neil Diamond
• 2001 – Gloria & Emilio Estefan
• 2002 – Stevie Wonder
• 2003 – Patti LaBelle
• 2004 – Neil Sedaka
• 2005 – Les Paul
• 2006 – Peter, Paul & Mary
• 2012 – Bette Midler

Abe Olman was an American songwriter and music publisher. He was later director of ASCAP, and a founder of the Songwriters Hall of Fame which, in 1983, named the Abe Olman Publisher Award. In his honor, the Abe Olman Scholarship is given out each year by his family in the interest of encouraging and supporting the careers of young songwriters.^[38] The scholarship has been awarded since 1989 to individuals such as Matt Katz-Bohen, John Legend, and Bebe Rexha.

Created in 2010, the Holly Prize is a tribute to the legacy of Buddy Holly, a SHOF inductee. The award recognizes and supports a new "all-in songwriter" — an exceptionally talented and inspired young musician/singer/songwriter whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly's music: true, great and original. The Holly Prize is administered and juried by the SongHall.^[39]

• 2010 – Laura Warshauer
• 2011 – Kendra Morris
• 2012 – Emily King
• 2013 – Ben Howard
• 2014 – Jack Skuller
• 2015 – Jenny O.
• 2016 – Shun Ng
• 2017 – Katie Pruitt
• 2018 – Sylvan Esso^[40]
• 2019 – Adia Victoria

Announced in 2011, along with a collaboration between the Songwriters Hall of Fame and NYU Steinhardt's Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, the NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award is presented to a music composition student whose work holds great potential for success in the field, and embodies the art, craft, individuality and qualities of communication of the best songwriting.^[41]

The Towering Performance Award is given in recognition of one-of-a-kind performances by one-of-a-kind singers that have recorded outstanding and unforgettable interpretations of songs that have become iconic standards.^[42]

• 2003 - Tony Bennett
• 2005 – Bill Medley
• 2009 – Andy Williams
• 2012 – Ben E. King

The Towering Song Award is given to creators of an individual song that has influenced the culture in a unique way over the years.^[43][44][29]

• 1995 – "As Time Goes By" (written by Herman Hupfeld)
• 1996 – "Happy Birthday To You" (written by Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill)
• 1997 – "How High The Moon" (lyrics by Nancy Hamilton and music by Morgan Lewis)
• 1998 – "The Christmas Song" (written by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé)
• 1999 – "Fly Me To The Moon" (written by Bart Howard)
• 2000 – "All of Me" (written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons)
• 2000 – "You Are My Sunshine" (recorded by Jimmie Davis)
• 2001 – "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (lyrics by Beth Slater Whitson and music by Leo Friedman)
• 2002 – "You're a Grand Old Flag" (written by George M. Cohan)
• 2003 – "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (written by George Cory and Douglass Cross)^[45]
• 2004 – "What the World Needs Now is Love" (lyrics by Hal David and music by Burt Bacharach)
• 2005 – "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" (written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil)
• 2006 – "When the Saints Go Marching In" (lyrics by Katharine Purvis and music by James Milton Black)
• 2007 - "Unchained Melody" (lyrics by Hy Zaret and music by Alex North)
• 2008 – "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (lyrics by Jack Norworth and music by Albert Von Tilzer)
• 2009 – "Moon River" (lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by Henry Mancini)
• 2010 – "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (written by Paul Simon)
• 2011 – "It Was a Very Good Year" (written by Ervin Drake)
• 2012 – "Stand by Me" (written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller)
• 2013 – "A Change Is Gonna Come" (written by Sam Cooke)
• 2014 – "Over The Rainbow" (lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and music by Harold Arlen)
• 2015 – "What a Wonderful World" (written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss)

Created in 2011, The Visionary Leadership Award recognizes members of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors who have made a significant contribution in furthering the ongoing mission of the organization.^[46][47]

• 2011 – Hal David
• 2014 – Del Bryant
• 2015 – John A. Lofrumento
• 2019 – Martin Bandier

• List of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees
• Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
• List of music museums

• Official website
• Linda Moran Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (June 12, 2013)