The songs that defined your life were written by someone. On Thursday, June 11, those someones take center stage.
The 55th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala takes place Thursday at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The event is private and not open to the general public, but the star-studded lineup makes it one of the most significant music gatherings of the year.
The Class of 2026 - Inductees
This year's class includes three non-performing songwriters or songwriting teams and four performing songwriters or songwriting teams. Here's every inductee and the songs that earned them their place:
Walter Afanasieff - Known for co-writing "All I Want for Christmas Is You," "Hero," "My All," "One Sweet Day," and "Love Will Survive" with Mariah Carey.
Terry Britten & Graham Lyle - The duo behind some of Tina Turner's greatest hits, including "What's Love Got to Do with It" and "We Don't Need Another Hero." Britten also wrote hits for Cliff Richard including "Devil Woman," while Lyle co-wrote "A Heart in New York," performed at Simon & Garfunkel's legendary 1981 Central Park concert.
Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley of KISS - The architects behind anthems including "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "I Love It Loud."
Kenny Loggins - The soft rock legend behind "Footloose" and "Danny's Song," whose songwriting catalog also includes "Danger Zone" and collaborations with Michael McDonald.
Alanis Morissette - The Canadian singer-songwriter whose 1995 album Jagged Little Pill sold 33 million copies worldwide, anchored by songs including "You Oughta Know" and "Ironic."
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart - Raised in a musical family, Stewart was writing songs by age 12. His big break came in 2007 with Rihanna's "Umbrella," followed by co-writing Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)."
Taylor Swift - A first-year ballot inductee, Swift qualifies exactly 20 years after her debut single "Tim McGraw" was released in June 2006. At 36, she becomes the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the first recipient of the organization's Hal David Starlight Award to later graduate to full membership.
Special Award Honorees
Singer-songwriter Raye will receive the Hal David Starlight Award, given to young songwriters making a significant impact with their original songs. John Fogerty will receive the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award, the Hall's highest honor.
Performers & Presenters
Dallas Austin, Tamar Braxton, Kylie Cantrall, Brandi Carlile, Billy Corgan, Madison Cunningham, Taylor Dayne, Gavin DeGraw, Steve Miller, Jeremy Renner, Nile Rodgers, Johnny Rzeznik, Sheléa, SistaStrings, and Sombr will present and/or perform at the gala. It is not yet known which artists will honor which inductees.
The songs being celebrated Thursday - from Christmas classics to rock anthems to confessional pop - share one common thread: they moved people. They still do. That is what any great song is meant to do.
