The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) today announced the induction of legendary songwriter and producer Bert Berns, whose legacy has influenced the world of music for decades. Berns, who tragically died in 1967 at age 38, was recognized posthumously for his remarkable contributions during an intimate ceremony held last night at 54 Below cabaret club in New York City.
Berns wrote some of the most enduring songs ever recorded, including standards like “Twist and Shout,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Hang On, Sloopy,”“Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” “Tell Him,” “I Want Candy,” “Cry to Me,” “I’ll Be a Liar,” “Cry Baby,” and “Heart Be Still.” His songs were immortalized by some of the most influential recording artists of all time, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Solomon Burke, Van Morrison, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, Otis Redding, David Bowie, Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Isley Brothers, The Moody Blues, Wilson Pickett, Melissa Etheridge, Gene Pitney, the Animals, the Yardbirds, Erma Franklin, Dusty Springfield, The Exciters, Garnet Mimms, The Strangeloves, and more.
In 1963, Berns’ work with Solomon Burke caught the attention of Atlantic Records’ chiefs Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler, and he joined the label as a producer, replacing Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. He flourished under the encouragement of Wexler. He was the first American to produce records in London during the British Invasion. In 1965, he started his own rock and roll label, BANG Records, whose roster included the likes of Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, and The McCoys. The following year he established R&B and soul music label Shout Records.
The SHOF induction ceremony was hosted by musician Paul Shaffer and Berns’ son Brett and daughter Cassandra. Tributes included video messages from SHOF inductees Paul McCartney and Van Morrison. Guests included SHOF inductee Steve Miller and Steven Van Zandt. Also in attendance were industryites Joel Selvin, Russ Titelman, Avery Lipman, Kenny Laguna, and SHOF Board members Charlie Feldman and Pete Ganbarg, Chairman of the SHOF Legacy Committee.
The celebration of Berns’ legacy also included live performances by Cassandra Berns, singer Betty Harris, Tony-nominated actress Mary Bridget Davies (A Night with Janis Joplin), and Broadway stars from the musical Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story, including Bryan Fenkart, Linda Hart, and Teresa Gattison. Highlights included a stirring performance of “Cry to Me” by Harris, an artist signed to Berns’ Jubilee record label whose 1962 cover version was a Top 10 R&B hit. Harris celebrated her 86th birthday that night as the audience joined in singing “Happy Birthday.” The night concluded with Fenkart leading the audience in a rousing finale of “Twist and Shout.”
While the annual SHOF gala does not usually include posthumous inductions for songwriters after their death, the organization hosts its special posthumous inductions at unique venues and events. Deceased writers to be considered for posthumous induction were included in a special segment of the 2025 SHOF ballot.
Photo Credit: Larry Busacca
