Post by philly on Jun 15, 2012 22:08:54 GMT -5
June 15, 2012, 10:00 AM ET
Great Songwriters Gather, Meat Loaf Holds Back Tears
By A.D. Pruitt
It was evening of black tie, chic denim and intergenerational musical mashups at last night’s Songwriters Hall of Fame 43rd annual induction and awards dinner, held at the Marriott Marquis in New York. The unsung heroes of song took the stage and basked in the adulation of nearly a thousand music industry producers, executives and luminaries.
Among this year’s inductees were 73-year-old singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who sat quietly as acolyte Steve Miller performed his classic “If You Could Read My Mind.” Bob Seger, also an inductee last night, sang a tribute to own career by belting out “Turn The Page,” his soulful ode to the rigors of a musician’s life on the road released in 1973.
The Times Square gala took an emotional turn when rocker and actor Meat Loaf choked up as he inducted close friend and collaborator Jim Steinman who wrote the songs on Meat Loaf’s 1977 landmark album, “Bat Out Of Hell.”
“Jim Steinman’s songs allowed me to be the actor that I am,” Meat Loaf said as he held back tears. “Here I go getting emotional.”
Steinman lightened the mood noting that “a great song to me means an erection of the heart.”
The loudest applause of the night went to Bette Midler, the acclaimed performer who was given the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. Pioneer rocker Stevie Nicks, former longtime lead singer for Fleetwood Mac, delivered a touching rendition of “The Rose,” the title song of the 1979 movie inspired by the life of Janis Joplin which starred Midler.
“Through the eyes of Bette Midler we got to see Janis Joplin,” Nicks said behind dark sunglasses.
Midler accepted the honor with self-deprecating humor. “When I started in this industry I was the tramp then a visionary, an icon and now I’m an institution,” she quipped.
The biggest crowd pleasers were the performances which showcased long established and emerging talents. Soulman Ben E. King, also an award winner, sang his evergreen hit “Stand By Me” with a cappella jazz sextet Take 6. Soul singer-songwriter Ne-Yo got a standing ovation after he performed his pop smash “So Sick” after receiving the Hal David Starlight award for being outstanding young songwriter.
“A part of me doesn’t believe I’m standing on this stage,” he said.
Of the night, Seger said, “I’m deeply honored and very proud.”
Great Songwriters Gather, Meat Loaf Holds Back Tears
By A.D. Pruitt
It was evening of black tie, chic denim and intergenerational musical mashups at last night’s Songwriters Hall of Fame 43rd annual induction and awards dinner, held at the Marriott Marquis in New York. The unsung heroes of song took the stage and basked in the adulation of nearly a thousand music industry producers, executives and luminaries.
Among this year’s inductees were 73-year-old singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who sat quietly as acolyte Steve Miller performed his classic “If You Could Read My Mind.” Bob Seger, also an inductee last night, sang a tribute to own career by belting out “Turn The Page,” his soulful ode to the rigors of a musician’s life on the road released in 1973.
The Times Square gala took an emotional turn when rocker and actor Meat Loaf choked up as he inducted close friend and collaborator Jim Steinman who wrote the songs on Meat Loaf’s 1977 landmark album, “Bat Out Of Hell.”
“Jim Steinman’s songs allowed me to be the actor that I am,” Meat Loaf said as he held back tears. “Here I go getting emotional.”
Steinman lightened the mood noting that “a great song to me means an erection of the heart.”
The loudest applause of the night went to Bette Midler, the acclaimed performer who was given the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. Pioneer rocker Stevie Nicks, former longtime lead singer for Fleetwood Mac, delivered a touching rendition of “The Rose,” the title song of the 1979 movie inspired by the life of Janis Joplin which starred Midler.
“Through the eyes of Bette Midler we got to see Janis Joplin,” Nicks said behind dark sunglasses.
Midler accepted the honor with self-deprecating humor. “When I started in this industry I was the tramp then a visionary, an icon and now I’m an institution,” she quipped.
The biggest crowd pleasers were the performances which showcased long established and emerging talents. Soulman Ben E. King, also an award winner, sang his evergreen hit “Stand By Me” with a cappella jazz sextet Take 6. Soul singer-songwriter Ne-Yo got a standing ovation after he performed his pop smash “So Sick” after receiving the Hal David Starlight award for being outstanding young songwriter.
“A part of me doesn’t believe I’m standing on this stage,” he said.
Of the night, Seger said, “I’m deeply honored and very proud.”
