Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame honors those whose work represents a spectrum of the most beloved songs from the world’s popular music songbook. Songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond who founded the organization wanted to shine the spotlight on the accomplishments of songwriters who have provided us with the words and music that form the soundtrack of our lives. Each year the Hall of Fame inducts a slate of songwriters voted on by the membership at an Awards Gala that has been recognized by the music industry and the media as the most important of the year. In this digital age, the Hall of Fame has put together an award-winning online museum to honor songwriters who have been inducted. This has become a leading destination for music industry professionals and researchers, along with popular music fans.
Out of the tens of thousands of songwriters of our era, there are approximately 400 inductees who make up the impressive roster enshrined in the Hall of Fame. In order to be considered for induction, nominees must have been published songwriters for a minimum of 20 years with a notable catalog of hit songs. The list of inductees includes Kenneth Gamble & Leon Huff, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier & Brian Holland, Smokey Robinson, Albert Hammond, Desmond Child, Paul Williams, Hal David & Burt Bacharach, John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Isaac Hayes & David Porter, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Don Schlitz, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Loretta Lynn, Jimmy Webb, Van Morrison, Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Diane Warren, Paul Anka, Stevie Wonder, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, Leonard Cohen, Ray Davies, Donovan, Cyndi Lauper, Mick Jones & Lou Gramm, Chip Taylor, Elvis Costello, Marvin Gaye, Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond and Tom Petty among many others.
The Hall of Fame not only celebrates these established songwriters, but is also devoted to the development of new songwriting talent. In efforts to enhance support of the up-and-coming songwriter, the Hall of Fame has forged important partnerships on both coasts; the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development and the USC Thornton School of Music. The result has been greater outreach with an expanded scholarship program, and the launch of a special series of events called the Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Sessions, with a focus on the art and craft of songwriting. The series features one major figure from music and the music industry in each session, many of whom are SHOF inductees.
In 2010, the Songwriters Hall of Fame found its first physical home within the Los Angeles GRAMMY Museum. The SHOF Gallery features video highlights from our Annual Awards Galas, as well as information on all Hall of Fame inductees and honorees. There are also interactive kiosks which permit Gallery visitors to try their luck at writing songs with Hal David, Desmond Child and Lamont Dozier. This SHOF collaboration with the GRAMMY Museum has led to several co-sponsored events on the West Coast, some of which include the acclaimed Legends-In-The-Round series, each featuring a stellar gathering of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees discussing their careers and performing their songs. Other events include special movie screenings combined with panel discussions, and much more.
The Hall of Fame has specifically concentrated on digital initiatives, serving to combine an array of innovative features and a wealth of informational content. A full list of our esteemed inductees with over 250,000 records of data and over 10,000 pages of content that include biographies, discographies, audio clips and photo galleries profiling their lives and their works can be accessed there. Songhall.org is also geared toward our membership and enhancing communications with the songwriting community.
The Hall of Fame has taken great pride in laying the groundwork for the process of building a community with resources to assist our members in all aspects of the art and business of songwriting. This has become the premier go-to songwriter organization, whether it’s to research history or plan the future.
Join us! Our mission is to remember, honor and nurture one of the world’s greatest resources: the songwriter.