Classic Songwriters Bring it Home at the Songwriters Hall of Fame
-
- June 23, 2009
While we love the thrill of finding new up-and-coming music here at CHEEKMagazine.com, classic rock consistently sneaks its way onto our iPod playlists. After all, whether you prefer to rock it out to Passion Pit with a bottle of gin or groove along to Erykah while doing dishes, the oldies but goodies stand the test of time. Last Thursday, some of the most revered songwriters of Rock n Roll past were welcomed into the Songwriters Hall of Fame during its 40th anniversary ceremony.
Jon Bon Jovi on the cover of Rolling Stone, May 1987. Image courtesy of 997kissfm.com
The event was held at the swanky Marriott in Times Square, and inductees included Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati of The Young Rascals.
A highlight of the evening was a comment by Stephen Stills during the ceremony, where according to United Press International, he thanked “all the great women who dumped me and all the dumb politicians that did things that (inspired me) to write songs”. Here, here!
Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ hallmark song, ’Moon River’ also brought home the bacon with the Towering Performance Award. Andy Williams, who performed the tune at the Oscars in 1962, when the movie won an award for best song, did a rendition of the classic on Thursday. Truth be told, we’ve had dreams since girlhood about sitting on a windowsill with George Peppard singing Moon River… if only we could sing!
Awarded with the highest honour, The Johnny Mercer Award, were Motown kings, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland Jr., and Brian Holland, who are responsible for some of our favourite road trip playlist songs like ‘Baby Love’ and ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’. Motown founder Berry Gordy presented the award to these highly respected musicians, who in their time had 13 consecutive #1 hits.
So, dear readers, we encourage you to rediscover some of your favourite classic bands this summer. Get to your local park, basement, jukebox, or patio and throw on some Bon Jovi. We dare you!
-Cora Nijhawan