Hall of Fame Inducts Songwriters (original) (raw)

Arts|Hall of Fame Inducts Songwriters

https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/15/arts/hall-of-fame-inducts-songwriters.html

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June 15, 2002

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June 15, 2002

Section B, Page

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''If it weren't for songwriters,'' Carole King said, ''divas would be making speeches.'' On Thursday the Sheraton New York Hotel was host to the 33rd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner, and Ms. King's pronouncement was reversed: there were few divas, but many songwriters made speeches.

The inductees were Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, Randy Newman, Sting, and Ashford and Simpson. Special awards were given to Carole King, Stevie Wonder and Garth Brooks. George M. Cohan's ''You're a Grand Old Flag'' was given the Towering Song Award.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969, but there is no physical site to visit. Still, the organization is trying to increase its visibility. This year's ceremony is to be broadcast on Bravo in October.

Mr. Jackson, who was in Britain, was the only person inducted who did not show up, and Liza Minnelli and David Gest, her husband, appeared on his behalf.

Mr. Jackson's record company, Sony, bought a congratulatory advertisement in the official program. The advertisement proclaimed, ''We remain your faithful audience,'' and if that sounds a bit defensive, there's good reason. After disappointing sales of his most recent album, ''Invincible,'' Mr. Jackson has been feuding with Sony, and he recently released a statement demanding that record companies ''start treating their artists with respect, honor and financial justice.''

The husband-and-wife team Ashford and Simpson wrote a string of R&B hits, including ''Ain't No Mountain High Enough,'' for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. ''From being homeless to this, I've come a long way,'' Nickolas Ashford said. After accepting their plaques, Mr. Ashford and Valerie Simpson performed ''Ain't No Mountain High Enough.''

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