7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Mike Love celebrates Brian Wilson and George Clinton shines at 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame gala
Love's speech was filled with gratitude, with one of his greatest thanks reserved for 'my cousin, Brian Wilson,' he said. 'My first cousin by blood and my brother in music.'
Stamos then joined Love for a few
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It was a notable moment in an evening full of them: The funk rock group Living Colour opened the energetic gala with a cover of Funkadelic's 'Cosmic Slop' to honor new inductee George Clinton.
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George Clinton performs during the 54th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards gala on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.
Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
The annual event, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City Thursday night, also featured inductees spanning genres, an inspiring mix of funk, rock, R&B, country, and beyond: Clinton, the Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, and Tony Macaulay.
'What an incredible honor this is,' Clinton said in his speech. He talked about his early days in the legendary
He then jumped into a performance of his own: The Parliaments' '(I Wanna) Testify.'
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Country legend Garth Brooks introduced the Doobie Brothers with a raucous rendition of 'Long Train Runnin'' into 'China Grove.' When it was time for the inducted members — Tom Johnston,
Teddy Riley introduced the groundbreaking producer Jerkins, whose touch is heard across countless R&B and pop hits. His speech included an animated impression of
'I didn't grow up chasing fame,' he said. 'I grew up chasing feeling. … Creativity has no limitations.'
His four children, R.J., Heavenly, Hannah Joy, and Royal Jerkins, performed one of his best-known hits, Brandy and Monica's 'The Boy Is Mine.'
It was a night for families: Country songwriter superstar Gorley's daughter also performed one of her dad's originals,
When Gorley took the stage for his speech, he said he felt like he was in a 'fever dream' or that he had 'crashed a royal wedding.'
Legendary English songwriter Macaulay was also honored. He is best known for such classics as the Foundations' 'Baby Now That I've Found You' and 'Build Me Up Buttercup,' the latter of which was performed for Macaulay by a spirited Debbie Gibson.
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Musical theater composer Stephen Schwartz was the recipient of the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award; Kristin Chenoweth performed 'For Good' from 'Wicked' in his honor.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. Some already in the hall include Gloria Estefan, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, and Phil Collins.
