Quantcast

WEEKND, ARIANA SALUTE GRAINGE AT SONGWRITERS GALA

The Weeknd spoke and Ariana Grande sang “No Tears Left to Cry” to honor Sir Lucian Grainge at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where he received the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award.

Neil Diamond, who received the Johnny Mercer Award, led an emotional rendition of "Sweet Caroline" to close out the show. Diamond, diagnosed with Parkinson's in January, barely spoke at the ceremony at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City.

In his acceptance speech, Grainge recounted his history in music publishing, the record biz and listening to his father’s whistling. As for today's songwriters, he said, “For those who think that much of the music produced today lacks melody or composition, I’d encourage you to keep listening. Trust me, a few decades from now, the best songwriting will still hold its own, just as The Sex Pistols, Run DMC, The Clash or Public Enemy do today, a generation after the establishment dismissed them as unlistenable.”

Most inductees performed their classics . John Mellencamp did “Longest Days” and “Jack and Diane,” Alan Jackson sang “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning),” Bill Anderson performed “Still” and Kool & The Gang delivered “Celebration” after Leon Bridges performed “Get Down on It” to honor the band’s Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown and James “JT” Taylor.

Usher, Mariah Carey and Chad Elliott inducted Jermaine Dupri, who performed a medley of “Live and Die for Hip Hop” and “Jump.” Fantasia performed “I Just Fall In Love” by Steve Dorff, who, after being inducted by his son, actor Stephen Dorff, played his own “Through The Years.” Brandon Victor Dixon sang an energetic medley of “Neutron Dance” and “September” before inducting Allee Willis.

Sara Bareilles sang “She Used to Be Mine” after receiving the Hal David Starlight Award.

After the ceremony, Grainge was seen writing lyrics for a title track to Fifty Shades of Grey 4.

NEAR TRUTHS:
SPRING BLOOMS
Here come the big guns. (3/29a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/29a)
CITY OF HOPE TAPS MARCIANO FOR TOP HONOR
This year's philanthropic model (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/27a)
UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)