Songwriters Hall of Fame: 8 Standout Moments From the 2025 Gala

“This one here hits different,” George Clinton told an assorted crowd of songwriters, artists and music industry players in New York City on Thursday (June 13) night as he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “It’s been chosen by those who truly know what it means to be a songwriter and I’m so honored.”

The P-Funk progenitor was, unsurprisingly, correct: the Songwriters Hall of Fame does hit different, even for attendees. Without the pressure of delivering ratings for a televised or livestreamed awards show, the annual songwriters’ gala can focus on honoring the actual honorees. As the organization’s CEO/president Linda Moran said in her opening remarks, this isn’t an evening about getting the biggest names imaginable in one room – it’s truly a night where the songwriters are the stars.

That’s not to say there aren’t A-list guests and buzzy moments at the gala. At Thursday night’s ceremony at Manhattan’s Marquis Marriott, there were surprise stars, pinch-me performances, moving moments and pleasantly unexpected choices.

This year’s SHOF induction class consisted of: George Clinton; Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons (of The Doobie Brothers); Ashley Gorley; Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins; Mike Love; and Tony Macaulay. Gracie Abrams was honored with the Hal David Starlight Award, which spotlights gifted young scribes, and Stephen Schwartz was given the Johnny Mercer Award, which salutes songwriters with a substantial legacy who have already been inducted.

Here are eight standout moments from the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction.