Tag: Bette Midler
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Songwriters Hall of Fame honors Bette Midler
Songwriters Hall of Fame Honors Bette Midler, Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones and More June 14
Grammy Award winner Bette Midler receives the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43rd Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony June 14 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan.
The annual honor is presented to “industry veterans who are acknowledged as pioneers in their craft, whose body of work over time has been substantial, enduring and influential, and whose success and contributions over a lifetime have inspired the music community.”
In addition to Midler’s honor, Fantasticks and 110 in the Shade writers Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones are being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside Jim Steinman (Whistle Down the Wind), Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger and Don Schlitz.
Performers and presenters for the evening include Dave Grohl, Stevie Nicks, Kenny Rogers, Lyle Lovett, Meat Loaf, Emmylou Harris, Cheyenne Jackson, Constantine Maroulis, L.P., Jerry Moss and Take 6.
“Bette Midler captivated the world early in her long career with her stylish presentation and unmistakable voice, making each song her own, and turning them into pure gold,” said SFO chairman Jimmy Webb in a previous statement. “It will be our great pleasure to honor her at our annual awards gala with the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Midler made her Broadway debut as Tzeitel in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. She returned to the Great White Way in several concerts: Bette Midler, Bette Midler’s Clams on the Half Shell Revue and Bette! Divine Madness. She was awarded a Special Tony Award in 1974 for “adding luster to the Broadway season.” Midler’s screen credits are extensive and include Oscar nominations for her performances in “For the Boys” and “The Rose.” She is also the recipient of Grammy Awards for Record of the Year (“Wind Beneath My Wings,” 1989), Best Pop Vocal Performance Female (“The Rose,” 1980) and Best New Artist (1973). She is also the producer of the Broadway musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Tickets for the Songwriters Hall of Fame event begin at $1,000 each, and are available by phoning (212) 573-6933. Net proceeds from the event will go toward the Songwriters Hall of Fame programs.Adam Hetrick / Playbill / June 14, 2012
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VIDEO: Stevie Nicks performs ‘The Rose’
Watch Stevie Nicks perform “The Rose” at the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, paying tribute to inductee Bette Midler.
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SHoF: 2012 Awards & Induction Ceremony
June 14, 2012 @ Marriott Marquis, New York, NY
Inductees Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones and Jim Steinman, along with honorees Bette Midler, Ne-Yo, Lance Freed, Mike Stoller, Ben E. King and Woody Guthrie
New York, N.Y. – June 15, 2012 The 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Gala was a sparkling success, as SHOF Chairman Jimmy Webb and President/CEO Linda Moran recognized and celebrated some of the key songwriting legends of our time. Last night, icons Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones and Jim Steinman were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Honored with special awards were Bette Midler who was presented with the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award; Ne-Yo, who received the Hal David Starlight Award; Lance Freed, who received the Abe Olman Publisher Award; Mike Stoller who was presented with the Towering Song Award for “Stand By Me,” Ben E. King who received the Towering Performance Award and the first ever Pioneer Award, was awarded posthumously to Woody Guthrie. His daughter Nora Guthrie accepted the award.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame, year after year, is a night full of unforgettable moments with music’s greatest. Some of 2012’s most incredible moments included a powerhouse medley of “I’d Do Anything For Love” and “Bat Out Of Hell” by Meatloaf, Constantine Maroulis and Patti Russo, which was followed by Meatloaf’s tearful tribute to his “best friend in the entire world” and inductee, Jim Steinman; Show stopping performances by Bob Seger, Valerie Simpson, Kenny Rogers, Don Schlitz, Steve Miller, Gordon Lightfoot and Cheyenne Jackson and in honor of her steadfast devotion to the craft of songwriting an emotional photo tribute was dedicated to the life of Frances Preston, who served as CEO and President of BMI for close to two decades. Aretha Franklin and Clive Davis were also among the music legends in the audience for one of the industry’s most intimate evenings.
Legendary multi-Grammy® award winning artist Bette Midler was this year’s recipient of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented to her by Stevie Nicks who sang a touching rendition of “The Rose.” Nicks called Midler “a songwriters dream” and a “fearless performer.” Midler, who received a standing ovation, kindly thanked all of the fans, songwriters, producers and others who have supported her throughout her life. Midler joked about her storied career saying, “first I was a tramp, then I was a visionary, then I was an icon, now I’m an institution.”
This year’s Hal David Starlight Award, which is presented to young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs, was presented to Ne-Yo by hip-hop artist and producer, Swizz Beatz. Ne-Yo said he was humbled by the award, accepting it with “100% gratitude.” Before an incredible performance of his hit, “So Sick,” Ne-Yo told the audience that he is so appreciative that he is able to do what he feels like he was born to do.
This year’s Towering Song Award, presented to the creators of an individual song that has influenced our culture in a unique way over many years, was presented to Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber and Ben E. King for “Stand By Me.” Take 6 performed a stunning a capella rendition in honor of the chart topping hit with King lending his iconic voice.
The Abe Olman Publisher Award, named after one of the SHOF’s esteemed founders, goes to music publishers who have had a substantial number of songs that have become world-renowned and have furthered the careers and successes of many songwriters. This year’s recipient was Lance Freed, who was presented the award by A&M Records co-founder, Jerry Moss after singing sensation Emmylou Harris’ inspiring performance of “Tears In Heaven.”
L.P. and Take 6 presented and performed “This Land Is Your Land” in honor of Woody Guthrie, who would be celebrating his 100th birthday this year. Guthrie is the first ever recipient of the Pioneer Award, which honors the career of a historic creator of a major body of musical work that has had an incredible influence on generations of songwriters. Guthrie, who fondly referred to her father as a pioneer, chronicled some of his more than 3,000 songs with an A-to-Z title tribute.
The 43rd Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner was truly a spectacular evening with incredible performances to remember that celebrate outstanding songwriters in the music industry. For those lucky to attend, it was a night one will never forget.