Gloria Estefan gets loud, Teddy Riley swings and Jeff Lynne rocks during Songwriters Hall induction

NEW YORK –

Gloria Estefan sang a medley of her hits, Post Malone sang one of his forgotten gems, Teddy Riley waved to New Jack Swing and Jeff Lynne rocked to “Mr. Blue Sky” at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony Thursday night.

The gala at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City celebrated a diverse group of songwriters, with Broadway represented by lyricist Tim Rice, pop by Glen Ballard and a Nashville twang by Liz Rose. Each participant shared how important music was to them growing up and how it connected them to the past and the future.

“To those fans who have found in my music what I found in the music of the life-changing songwriters who have nourished my soul all my life, thank you for that privilege,” said Estefan, the first Hispanic woman to be initiated. “And I can assure you it’s just as magical from the other side of the track.”

Lynne, of the prog-rock Electric Light Orchestra, who has teamed up with the Traveling Wilburys and Tom Petty, was the first to be honored, with guitarist Joe Walsh introducing his friend as a “one-man renaissance artist” and ELO’s “Don’t bring me down. “

Lynne remembered a day in 1977 when he was in a Swiss chalet trying to write his next album, but it had been dark and foggy for weeks. Then he woke up to the sun shining and the blue sky. He soon wrote 14 songs, including “Mr. Blue Sky”, which he sang.

Rose recalled being a single, working mother with three children who turned to songwriting in her late thirties. She co-wrote many songs with Taylor Swift, beginning when the singer-songwriter was 14, including “You Belong with Me,” “Teardrops on My Guitar,” and “White Horse.” Rose does not sing or play an instrument and thanked all the artists.

“The nice thing about songwriting is hanging out with your friends and getting therapy and being able to cry and drink wine and eat Cheez-Its,” Rose said. “I just love digging in and just watching that song come out at the end of the session. There’s just nothing like it.”

Broadway star Heather Headley introduced Rice and sang “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” ​​from “Jesus Christ Superstar”, the musical he co-wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Rice, who is already in the room, was honored with the Johnny Mercer Award, the highest honor the event has to offer.

Miles Frost, another Broadway star from the Michael Jackson musical “MJ,” helped introduce Ballard, who helped write and produce Alanis Morissette’s 1995 monster album “Jagged Little Pill” and was involved in the recording and writing from several Jackson albums, including “Thriller,” “Evil,” and “Dangerous.”

“A songwriter’s journey is quixotic and sometimes exotic. Never a straight line, but always serpentine,” Ballard said. “I’ve been writing songs since I was four, not for the money, but because I had to.”

Doug E. Fresh and Keith Sweat introduced Riley, the singer, songwriter and producer who had the honor of creating New Jack Swing, a blend of hip-hop, R&B, dance and pop, featuring top songs such as Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative.” The trio made a medley of hits, including “I Want Her,” “No Diggity,” and “Rump Shaker.”

Producer Louis Bell introduced Malone, after meeting him when he was 19 in a recording studio: “Not only is he one of the most talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure of sharing a room with, more importantly he’s also one of the purest, most beautiful souls I’ve ever met.”

Malone, 27, received the Hal David Starlight Award, given to “gifted young songwriters who are making a major impact in the music industry”.

Malone thanked his baby and his fiancé, took off his jacket, grabbed an acoustic guitar and played “Feeling Whitney,” a deep cut from the first album “Stoney,” which reads, “To each their own and find peace in knowin’ / Isn’t always broken, but here’s to hoping.”

“I’m sorry I played a song that nobody knows,” he said with a laugh.

The final performer of the night was Estefan, who is credited with popularizing Latin rhythms with crossover hits like “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” and “Let’s Get Loud.” i

“Music saved my life,” she said.

Along with her husband, Emilio, and 11-year-old grandson, Sasha, Estefan ended the night with a medley of songs that mobilized people: “Reach,” “Words Get in the Way,” “Anything for You, “Can’t Stay Away from You,” “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” “Let’s Get Loud,” and “Rhythm Gonna Get You.”

Snoop Dogg, whose hits include “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Gin & Juice,” delayed his introduction until next year. Sade also delayed her introduction.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those who create popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs is eligible for induction 20 years after a song’s first commercial release.

Some already in the room include Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond and Phil Collins.