NEW YORK, NY – The 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony took center stage in New York City on Thursday, June 12, celebrating a diverse and impactful group of music creators. The night was marked by powerful performances, heartfelt tributes, and the recognition of artists whose words and melodies have shaped generations. A particularly poignant moment came with the induction of The Beach Boys’ Mike Love, who paid tribute to his cousin and musical collaborator, the legendary Brian Wilson, whose death had been announced just the day prior.
Funk icon George Clinton also shone brightly as a key inductee, bringing his unique energy to the Marriott Marquis Hotel gala, which honored masters across funk, rock, R&B, country, and pop.
A Tribute to Genius: Mike Love Remembers Brian Wilson
Mike Love’s induction arrived during a time of collective mourning for the music world following the passing of Brian Wilson. Introduced by actor and devoted Beach Boys fan John Stamos, Love was lauded as a “songwriter’s songwriter,” a craftsman behind many of the band’s iconic hits. Stamos playfully recounted asking Love which songs he wrote, to which Love responded, “I only wrote the hits.”
In his acceptance speech, Love expressed deep gratitude, reserving his most profound thanks for “my cousin, Brian Wilson,” describing him as “my first cousin by blood and my brother in music.” The tribute underscored the complex, decades-long relationship between the two principal creative forces behind The Beach Boys.
Wilson’s legacy is immense, remembered by musicians like Steven Page, Burton Cummings, and Ron Sexsmith for his musical genius and profound influence. He wasn’t just writing “good time” songs; his work, especially on albums like “Pet Sounds,” revealed a sophisticated musicality that blended seemingly simple themes with underlying melancholy and complexity. Wilson was a pioneer in using the recording studio as an instrument, bringing sophisticated vocal harmonies and compositional forms rarely heard in early rock and roll. His ability to evoke deep emotion and transport listeners solidified his status as a singular figure in popular music history.
Following his speech, Love was joined by John Stamos for a performance of Beach Boys classics, including “California Girl,” “I Get Around,” “Kokomo,” and the groundbreaking “Good Vibrations,” a song that epitomizes Wilson’s studio innovation.
George Clinton and the Power of Consistent Effort
The evening kicked off with an energetic cover of Funkadelic’s “Cosmic Slop” by the funk rock band Living Colour, setting the stage to honor the architect of P-Funk, George Clinton. In his speech, Clinton reflected on his early days in the legendary Brill Building, describing the famed songwriting hub like entering “Oz.” He emphasized that becoming a songwriter required “consistent effort” above all else. Clinton then treated attendees to a performance of The Parliaments’ classic “(I Wanna) Testify.”
A Diverse Class of Inductees
The 54th annual ceremony recognized a diverse array of talent:
The Doobie Brothers: Country legend Garth Brooks introduced the inducted members – Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, and Patrick Simmons – with a lively medley of “Long Train Runnin’” and “China Grove.” The Doobie Brothers then took the stage to perform their rootsy hit “Black Water.”
Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins: Introduced by Teddy Riley, the groundbreaking R&B and pop producer shared personal stories, including his father borrowing $1,200 against his life insurance to buy him an ’80s sampler, the MPC3000. Jerkins stated his drive wasn’t “chasing fame” but “chasing feeling,” declaring that “Creativity has no limitations.” His four children performed Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine,” one of his signature hits.
Ashley Gorley: The prolific country songwriter’s induction highlighted the often behind-the-scenes craft. His daughter performed Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” and Dan + Shay offered a medley of his chart-topping hits, including Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night,” Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Girl,” and the 2024 smash “I Had Some Help” (Post Malone & Morgan Wallen). Gorley expressed disbelief, calling the honor a “fever dream.”
Tony Macaulay: The legendary English songwriter known for classics like The Foundations’ “Baby Now That I’ve Found You” and “Build Me Up Buttercup,” was celebrated with a spirited performance of the latter by Debbie Gibson.
The night also honored musical theater composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) with the esteemed Johnny Mercer Award, presented with a performance of “For Good” by Kristin Chenoweth. Rising artist Gracie Abrams received the Hal David Starlight Award.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame, established in 1969, continues its mission to honor the creators of popular music, recognizing artists with notable catalogs 20 years after their first commercial release. This year’s class joins a prestigious list of past inductees who have shaped the sound of modern music.
