Desmond Child to Guest at Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Sessions @ NYU Dec. 11

Desmond Child, GRAMMY®-winning and EMMY®-nominated songwriter / producer and one of music's most accomplished hitmakers, will appear at New York University on Monday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m., as the featured guest at an invitation-only episode of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Sessions @ NYU.  Now in its seventh year, the Master Sessions are a collaboration between the Hall and the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions of the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.  Child will discuss his five-decade-and-counting career with Phil Galdston, NYU Faculty Songwriter-in-Residence and Director of Songwriting.

“Desmond Child is one of the most vital and influential music creators of our time,” said Ron Sadoff, Director of the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at NYU Steinhardt. “The hallmark of his remarkable career as a songwriter and producer is a profound ability to deeply connect with audiences across a diverse range of genres and styles.”

"We are delighted that Desmond, a 2008 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a member of our Board, will be the next guest at the upcoming Master Session," said SHOF President and CEO Linda Moran. “It will be a special opportunity for NYU students and SHOF members to get a first-hand insight into the heart, mind, and process of this esteemed songwriter."

Child has written and produced more than eighty Billboard Top 40 hits, including “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “You Give Love A Bad Name,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” “Dude Looks Like A Lady,” “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” and “Waking Up In Vegas.” From Aerosmith to Zedd, his collaborations include Bon Jovi, KISS, Motley Crew, Joan Jett, Cher, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Meat Loaf, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Sia, Mickey Mouse, and Kermit the Frog. His work appears on over 500 million records and downloads, worldwide, and his YouTube views and streaming plays are already in the billions.

In addition to his role with the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Child is a member of ASCAP’s Board of Directors. In 2012, he co-founded the Latin Songwriters Hall Of Fame and serves as its Chairman/CEO. He is also Chairman of The Fountains of Musica Foundation, whose mission is to complete Alan LeQuire's aquatic bronze masterpiece MUSICA, located at the entrance to Nashville’s Music Row. His autobiography, LIVIN' ON A PRAYER: BIG SONGS BIG LIFE, co-written with David Ritz, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2018.

“Desmond is not only one of the most accomplished and vibrant songwriting talents working today, he’s a passionate and articulate citizen of the music community,” said Galdston. “His visit will give our community an up-close-and-personal view of a life in song.”

Curated and moderated by Galdston, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Sessions at NYU were launched in 2011.  Previous guests have included the late Hal David, Jimmy Webb, the late Glenn Frey, Nile Rodgers, Valerie Simpson, Felix Cavaliere and John Sebastian, David Byrne, Gamble & Huff, Rosanne Cash, Don Schlitz, and Alan Menken. For more information about the Songwriting Program at NYU Steinhardt, visit here.