The 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrated musical talent. Inductees were honored at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. This annual gala, moreover, has occurred since 1969. It recognized artists from various genres. Their songwriting craft united them.

A Bittersweet Induction for Mike Love

Mike Love of The Beach Boys experienced a poignant induction. Tragically, Brian Wilson, his bandmate, had just passed. Actor John Stamos introduced Love. Stamos called him a “songwriter’s songwriter.” Love famously stated he “only wrote the hits.”

Love’s speech was heartfelt. He thanked his cousin, Brian Wilson. He called him “my first cousin by blood and my brother in music.” Stamos joined Love on stage. They performed Beach Boys classics. These included “California Girl” and “Good Vibrations.”

Funk, Soul, and Unforgettable Stories

To kick off the gala, Living Colour performed Funkadelic’s “Cosmic Slop.” This was a powerful tribute, as it honored inductee George Clinton. Afterward, Clinton spoke of his early days, describing the Brill Building vividly as “Oz.” Songwriting, he noted, required “consistent effort.” Following his speech, he then performed “(I Wanna Testify).”

The Legendary Producer Rodney

Next, Teddy Riley introduced Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, a legendary producer. Jerkins impressed the audience with a spot-on Clive Davis imitation. Then, he shared a touching story: his father had borrowed money for an MPC3000. Jerkins stated, “I didn’t grow up chasing fame.” Instead, he “grew up chasing feeling.” To conclude his segment, his children performed “The Boy Is Mine.”

Country Hits and Classic Pop

Ashley Gorley represented country music. Initially, he felt like he had “crashed a royal wedding.” Then, his daughter performed “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Following that, Dan + Shay offered a medley of his hits. Specifically, these included “Last Night” and “I Had Some Help.”

Later in the program, Garth Brooks introduced The Doobie Brothers. He himself performed “Long Train Runnin’.” Subsequently, inducted members then performed “Black Water.” In addition, English legend Tony Macaulay was also honored. To celebrate him, Debbie Gibson performed “Build Me Up Buttercup.”

Honoring Luminaries and Rising Stars

The evening furthermore recognized other contributors. Stephen Schwartz received the Johnny Mercer Award. To honor him, Kristin Chenoweth performed “For Good.” Moreover, Gracie Abrams received the Hal David Starlight Award. This particular award acknowledged her rising talent.

The 2025 class thus joins a prestigious list. This list includes icons like Gloria Estefan and Paul Simon. These artists have undeniably shaped popular music. Ultimately, the Songwriters Hall of Fame remains a vital institution because it ensures songwriters receive deserved recognition.