Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery Opens in Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum

The New York City-based Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) is taking its history to the West Coast. On Tuesday, October 19, the organization unveiled the new Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery at L.A.’s Grammy Museum. An interactive exhibit that digs in to the SHOF’s extensive virtual home, the Gallery elevates and explores the men and women who composed the backbone of American music.

Esteemed journeymen including SOHF members Lamont Dozier, Mac Davis, Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Jackie DeShannon, Charles Fox, Paul Williams and Roger Greenaway helped celebrate the opening of the Gallery, as did SHOF Chairman/CEO Hal David and SHOF board members John LoFrumento, Irwin Robinson, Karen Sherry, Charlie Feldman, Robbin Ahrold, Mary Jo Mennella, John Titta, Evan Lamberg and Jim Corwin. NARAS President Neil Portnow and Grammy Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli praised the new exhibit after opening remarks from Hal David, who, along with Portnow, Santelli, and SHOF President Linda Moran, cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially declaring the Gallery open to the public.

That evening, Hal David, Lamont Dozier, Mac Davis, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson came together for “Songwriting Legends in the Round,” a powerhouse combination of performances and stories behind the songs emceed by fellow master songwriter Paul Williams. The celebration continued the following evening, as the incomparable Jimmy Webb performed a selection of his compositions “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman” and “Galveston,” and fielded questions from veteran journalist and music historian Paul Grein during the SHOF’s “An Evening with Jimmy Webb.” On Thursday, October 21, iconic writing team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil led a SHOF Master Class, during which they discussed the creative processes behind their masterpieces “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “On Broadway,” and more.

For more information, please visit songhall.org.