(New York) Silent for two years, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in the United States was to welcome a very diverse set of artists for its class of 2022 on Thursday evening, including pop diva Mariah Carey, the songwriting producer duo The Neptunes, the Eurythmics, psychedelic bluesman Steve Miller and the Isley Brothers.
Posted at 4:15 p.m.
During this gala, Thursday in New York, Lil Nas X will receive the Hal David Starlight Award which recognizes “gifted young songwriters who have a significant impact in the music industry through their original songs”.
The gala has been described as a cross between the Grammys and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
Authors are eligible for induction after writing hit songs for at least 20 years. The august order has thus welcomed iconic songwriters such as Burt Bacharach, Missy Elliott, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Billy Joel and Carly Simon. The new annual lists are voted on by the members.
The non-performer winners this year are William “Mickey” Stevenson, a producer during Motown’s heyday, and Rick Nowels, who co-wrote more than 60 songs that reached the “Top 20” chart in the world, including the great worldwide success of Belinda Carlisle Heaven is a Place on Earth.
The great songwriter Paul Williams will receive the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Hall of Fame. Universal executive Jody Gerson will receive the Abe Olman Award for Music Publishing.