Songwriters Hall of Fame
Smokey Robinson! The man changed popular music! He brought a common, streetwise approach to his lyrics, which were embraced by millions of people the world over who related to his messages of longing, love and second chances. Smokey conveyed in words and music what many of us felt and wanted to...
Verdine White has become a close friend to the NAMM family thanks to his dedication to music education and music advocacy programs around the world. He has supported the efforts to keep music in public schools and has performed countless events to raise money for such causes. As the bassist for...
Kenneth Gamble was singing and playing the guitar in a band he formed in Philly when he first met his future songwriting partner, Leon Huff. The two discovered they had the same goals of making music and that Kenneth's strength as a poet was a perfect fit for Huff's musical background. Together...
Leon Huff cut his teeth in the recording studios as a session player in the 1950s before meeting Kenneth Gamble. The two became one of the most prolific and successful songwriting and record producing teams in the music industry. They not only created the Philly Sound, they set standards and...
Marilyn Bergman grew up very close to her future husband in Brooklyn, New York. This may provide some insight into their magical partnership both as a couple and as one of the most celebrated songwriting teams of all time. Together they wrote lyrics to classic songs that have won Emmys, Grammys...
Larry Dunn played a key role in the success of the legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire! As the keyboardist for the group he added new sounds in the innovative era of electronic musical instruments. As Musical Director for the group he set high standards of creative and musical performances...
Alan Bergman and his wife Marilyn are among the most celebrated songwriting team of their time (and anyone else’s). They began writing together in the early 1950s and wrote the lyrics for such hits as “Nice ‘n’ Easy” for Frank Sinatra, “Yellow Bird” which has been recorded by hundreds of artists...
Wayland Holyfield wrote several popular songs for both popular and country artists during a career that began singing in church as a child out in Conway County, Arkansas. He wrote such classics as “Could I Have This Dance”, “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend”,“Till The Rivers All Run Dry” and one of...
Paul Williams is the actor turned songwriter who penned several of the most popular songs since the late 1960s. His hits include "Rainy Days and Mondays", "We've Only Just Begun" and the classic for the Muppets, "Rainbow Connection." Paul has also been active within ASCAP, serving as the...
Linda Moran has enjoyed a long and successful career in the music business and is known for her friendships and nurturing attitude towards those starting out in music. When Linda "retired," she increased her responsibilities within the Songwriters Hall of Fame and built the board and its annual...