George Clinton and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins are among six new members selected as inductees in the 2025 class of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They’re joined by The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, the Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Tony Macaulay .
The 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees represent an inspiring mix of funk, rock, R&B, country and beyond.
Is there funk without George Clinton? Is there groove?
From Parliament/Funkadelic to his solo work, Clinton is an innovator of American popular music — a long overdue inductee heard on timeless hits (like “Atomic Dog” and “Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)”) but also across the songs of Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, OutKast, Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, De La Soul and beyond.
Clinton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 1997 as the leader of Parliament/Funkadelic
Groundbreaking producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins’ touch is heard across countless R&B and pop hits. His music includes hits for Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name,” Brandy’s “The Boy Is Mine,” Michael Jackson’s “You Rock My World,” Beyonce’s “Deja Vu,” and Lady GaGa and Beyonce’s “Telephone.”
Jerkins previously received a Record of the Year Grammy for co-producing Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me (Darkchild Mix),” the subtitle a nod to Jerkins’ nickname
About the Other Honorees
Ashley Gorley – “I Had Some Help,” “Last Night,” “You Should Probably Leave,” “Play It Again,” “You’re Gonna Miss This” Gorley is an unmistakable name in the world of country music, with 80 No. 1 radio singles to his name.
Tony Macaulay – “Baby Now That I’ve Found You,” “Build Me Up Buttercup,” “Don’t Give Up On Us,” “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All,” “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”
The Doobie Brothers – Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons p/k/a Doobie Brothers – “Listen to the Music,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “Black Water,” “What a Fool Believes,” “Long Train Runnin’”
Mike Love – “California Girls,” “Good Vibrations,” “The Warmth of the Sun,” “I Get Around,” “Fun, Fun, Fun.” Love, who joins his bandmate Brian Wilson in the Hall; Wilson was inducted in 2000
Twenty-six songwriters or songwriting teams vied for induction into the SHOF this year. Just six were elected – three from 13 nominees in the performing songwriters category and three from 13 nominees in the songwriters category, which is reserved for non-performing songwriters. The nominations were announced on Nov. 12. Voting closed on Dec. 22.
The 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.
“The foundation of the music industry exists because songwriters compose great songs,” Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers said in a statement. “Without them, there is no recorded music, no concert business, no fans, or merchandising; it all starts with the song and the songwriter.”
The 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on June 12 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Last year’s inductees included Steely Dan, R.E.M., Timbaland, Hillary Lindsey, and Dean Pitchford. At the induction ceremony last summer, R.E.M. stunned attendees by reuniting for an acoustic version of their alt-rock hit, “Losing My Religion.”
