Songwriters Hall of Fame


The Songwriters Hall of Fame 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 preserves and advances the heritage of English-language popular music. In addition to celebrating renowned songwriters, the organization supports the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases, and scholarships. Nile Rodgers, since 2018, has been Chairman.

History

Founding and early years (1969–1990s)

The Hall of Fame was established in 1969 by Mercer, Olman, and Richmond. During its early decades, the organization focused
primarily on recognizing influential songwriters and songwriting teams across popular music genres.

Exhibits and public presence

An exhibit dedicated to the SHOF was launched in 2010 at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The Hall has no permanent physical home, and because its annual awards ceremonies are not televised, there is no other publicly accessible recording of the events for posterity.

Inductees

Numerous collaborating songwriters have been inducted together, with each member considered a separate entrant. The inaugural class in 1969 included 120 inductees, including several professional partnerships such as Rodgers and Hammerstein. Later inductees have included songwriting teams such as Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and Leiber and Stoller. Individual inductees have included John Lennon and Paul McCartney, members of Holland-Dozier-Holland, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and all three members of the
Bee Gees. John Denver was inducted in 1996. Queen became the first rock band to have all its members inducted in 2003. Five members of Earth, Wind & Fire were honored in 2010, and four members of Kool and the Gang were inducted in 2018. Through 2019, 461 individuals had been inducted.

Recent events (2000s–present)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony was postponed until 2022. SHOF president and CEO Linda Moran stated that the postponement was made to allow the event to take place with proper celebration. The 2020 class includes Mariah Carey, Chad Hugo, the Isley Brothers, Annie Lennox, Steve Miller, Rick Nowels, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Dave Stewart, and Pharrell Williams. Awards for that year will honor
Jody Gerson and Paul Williams. On March 8, 2022, the ceremony was officially announced for June 16, 2022, at the Marriott Marquis in New York’s Times Square.

Special Awards

Abe Olman Publisher Award

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.
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.
The Contemporary Icon Award was established in 2015 to "celebrate a songwriter-artist who has attained an iconic status in pop culture".
In 2017, Pitbull was presented the Global Ambassador Award. The award is given to a person "whose music has true worldwide appeal, crossing genre, cultural and national boundaries".

Hal David Starlight Award

First presented in 2004 as the Starlight Award, the prize was renamed in 2006 as the Hal David Starlight Award to honor the former SHOF chairman's support of young songwriters. 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".
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Towering Song Award is given to creators of an individual song that has influenced the culture in a unique way over the years.
  • 1995 – "As Time Goes By" '
  • 1996 – "Happy Birthday To You" '
  • 1997 – "How High The Moon" '
  • 1998 – "The Christmas Song" '
  • 1999 – "Fly Me To The Moon" '
  • 2000 – "All of Me" '
  • 2000 – "You Are My Sunshine" '
  • 2001 – "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" '
  • 2002 – "You're a Grand Old Flag" '
  • 2003 – "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" '
  • 2004 – "What the World Needs Now is Love" '
  • 2005 – "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" '
  • 2006 – "When the Saints Go Marching In" '
  • 2007 – "Unchained Melody" '
  • 2008 – "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" '
  • 2009 – "Moon River" '
  • 2010 – "Bridge Over Troubled Water" '
  • 2011 – "It Was a Very Good Year" '
  • 2012 – "Stand by Me" '
  • 2013 – "A Change Is Gonna Come" '
  • 2014 – "Over The Rainbow"
  • 2015 – "What a Wonderful World" ''''