Rapper/producer Kanye West will be among a group of celebrities slated to appear at this year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame gala. The event, which takes place Thursday (June 7) at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York, will kick off with cocktails at 6 p.m. R&B crooner John Legend will be honored this year with the Hal David Starlight award, while country music songstress Dolly Parton will receive the Johnny Mercer award. Presenters and performers slated to appear with West at the gala are Little Anthony, Patti Austin, Marc Cohn, Sean Garrett, Rod McKuen, Idina Menzel, Tony Orlando, Neil Sedaka, Toni Wine, Bill Withers and Lizz Wright. Previously announced Hall of Fame inductees include Don Black, Jackson Browne, Irving Burgie, Michael Masser, Bobby Weinstein and the late Teddy Randazzo. Founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond, the Songwriters Hall of Fame honors songwriters while educating the public on the achievements of inductees. The event is devoted to the development of new songwriting talent through workshops, showcases and scholarships. Previous inductees include John Fogerty, Isaac Hayes and David Porter, Steve Cropper, Bill Withers, Carole King, James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, Jim Croce, Cy Coleman and others. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Songwriters Hall of Fame programs.
