Wonder, Al Green and songwriters Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield honored by Songwriters Hall of Fame

Jet, July 12, 2004

Superstar singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder was among the honorees at the recent 35th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards ceremony in New York City.

Wonder was a special award recipient and was presented with the Johnny Mercer Award in recognition of his timeless soul music.

Soul legend Al Green was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He won fame with such '70s classics as Let's Stay Together, Love and Happiness, Tired of Being Alone and How Do You Mend A Broken Heart. Green, who is also a minister and gospel recording star, wrote his autobiography, Take Me To The River, in 2000 and continues to tour widely.

Songwriters Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield also were among the inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They penned such Motown tunes as Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine and Too Busy Thinking About My Baby; The Temptations' Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, Ball of Confusion, I Can't Get Next To You and Just My Imagination and Edwin Starr's War.

Other Hall of Fame inductees included Daryl Hall, John Oates, Charles Fox and Don McLean.

Among those on hand were Bill Cosby, India.Arie, Cedric the Entertainer, Jimmy Jam, Brian McKnight and Roberta Flack, who performed her Charles Fox-penned classic, Killing Me Softly, during the awards show.

The evening concluded with Dionne Warwick presenting the Towering Song Award to famed songwriter Hal David for writing her classic, What The World Needs Now Is Love, which was performed by all of the stars in a rousing finale.

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame was co-founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer to celebrate songwriters and educate the public on their great achievements. The Hall of Fame also is dedicated to the development of new songwriting talent through its workshops, showcases and scholarships.