NEW YORK: Music Legends Honored at Songwriters Hall of Fame 40th Anniversary Renata Espinosa June 19th, 2009 @ 10:52 AM - New York The Songwriters Hall of Fame 40th anniversary awards show was no small affair, honoring a huge array of music legends and featuring performances by some of the most important artists from the past 40 years-plus at the annual celebration in New York on Thursday, June 18.

Hosted by SHOF chairman and CEO Hal David and president Linda Moran, inductees this year included Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Crosby Stills and Nash, Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati of The Young Rascals, Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, Broadway songwriter Stephen Schwartz and "Hair" composers Galt MacDermot and James Rado, as well as the deceased Gerome Ragni, their collaborator who was represented at the awards show by son Erick Ragni.

The highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award, named for the late co-founder of SHOF, was given to the Motown songwriting team Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, Jr., who wrote 13 consecutive number one records for the Supremes and hits for the Four Tops, Martha and the Vandelas and Marvin Gaye. Presented by mentor and Motown founder Berry Gordy, the prestigious award can only be given to previous inductess in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

But the evening would not have been complete with just the presence of these songwriting superstars. Audience members at the sold out gala were treated to performances like "Moon River," sung by Andy Williams, who first performed the song made famous by Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" at the 1962 Academy Awards. The Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini-penned number received the Towering Song award, while Williams received the Towering Performance award.

Other performances included Bon Jovi and Sambora with their hit "Wanted" and a version of The Young Rascals' "It's a Beautiful Morning" sung by Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Tedder. Chris Daughtry presented the award to Bon Jovi and Sambora with a rendition of "I'll Be There For You," country star Clint Black sung Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway's hit "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" and a rousing finale by the entire cast of "Hair" as well as former members of the Fifth Dimension singing "Aquarius" and "Let the Sun Shine In."

Also honored with special awards were Jason Mraz, who received The Hal David Starlight Award, Sir Tom Jones, who was presented with The Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award and Maxyne Lang, who was honored with The Abe Olman Publisher Award.