The Songwriters Hall of Fame has revealed its newest inductees for 2025, celebrating an eclectic mix of musical innovators who have shaped popular music across multiple decades and genres.
Leading the class is funk pioneer George Clinton, founder of Parliament-Funkadelic, whose influential hits like "Atomic Dog" and "Give Up The Funk" helped define the sound of funk music. The Doobie Brothers members Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, and Patrick Simmons will also be honored for crafting classic rock staples including "Listen to the Music" and "What a Fool Believes."
Country music powerhouse Ashley Gorley joins the ranks with an impressive catalog of 80 No. 1 radio singles. Legendary producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins earns recognition for his contributions to R&B and pop, having crafted hits like "Say My Name" and "The Boy Is Mine."
The Beach Boys' Mike Love will be inducted for co-writing iconic surf rock anthems such as "California Girls" and "Good Vibrations," while British songwriter Tony Macaulay rounds out the class with timeless classics like "Build Me Up Buttercup" and "Baby Now That I've Found You."
The induction ceremony will take place on June 12, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. This exclusive, invite-only event has been a music industry tradition for 54 years, bringing together the songwriting community's finest talents.
SHOF Chairman Nile Rodgers emphasized the foundational role of songwriters in the music industry, noting that "it all starts with the song and the songwriter." The organization, established in 1969, requires songwriters to wait 20 years after their first commercial release before becoming eligible for induction.
This marks the first class since 2017 to include no female inductees, despite several prominent women being among the initial nominees, including Sheryl Crow and Janet Jackson.
The class of 2025 joins last year's distinguished inductees, which included R.E.M., Steely Dan, and Timbaland, continuing the Hall's tradition of recognizing diverse musical excellence across genres and generations.