2003 Induction and Awards Gala

Inductees: Phil Collins | Van Morrison | Richard "Little Richard" Penniman | John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury, and Roger Taylor

The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame, the organization dedicated to recognizing the work and lives of those composers and lyricists who create popular music around the world, returns for its highly anticipated 34th annual induction and awards dinner, scheduled for Thursday, June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. In an official statement, Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman/CEO Hal David announced this year's inductees: Phil Collins, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury, and Roger Taylor, Van Morrison and Richard "Little Richard" Penniman.

"This year's inductees comprise a global representation, highlighting the universality of music," commented Hal David. "This event is very special because it's a time when premier songwriters come together to honor their own. We are looking forward to another terrific evening, one of the high points of the year."

The Johnny Mercer Award will be world-renowned songwriter Jimmy Webb, the Hitmaker Award will be awarded to industry icon and the Chairman/CEO of the RCA Music Group, Clive Davis, the recipient of this year's Patron of the Arts Award will be another titan of the industry, the longtime Chairman and CEO of EMI Music Publishing, Martin Bandier and the recipient of the Abe Olman Publisher of the Year Award will be Worldwide Chairman of BMG Music Publishing, Nicholas Firth. National Music Publishers Association CEO Ed Murphy, who was awarded the 2002 Abe Olman Award but was unable to attend last year's ceremony, will be presented belatedly with his award. The Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Patti LaBelle and the 2003 Towering Song Award goes to "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," written by George C. Cory, Jr. and Douglass Cross and published by Colgems-EMI Music Inc.

Also this year, the Songwriters Hall of Fame will be introducing a new award, the Towering Performance Award. The first recipient is Tony Bennett for his quintessential performance of this year's Towering Song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

Hal David also announces the following scheduled presenters and performers for this year's event: Wynonna Judd, Ray Charles, Pink, Billy Joel, Ben Taylor and Berry Gordy.

This marks the second of a multi-year run with legendary music producer Phil Ramone as Executive Producer and Producer. Phil Ramone Television is also producing the televised special of the event, which will initially be broadcast on the Bravo network again this year, premiering on July 9 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.