NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins LL Cool J, Pink, Sarah McLachlan and David Byrne of Talking Heads are among the impressive list of 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees, an eclectic mix of innovators from pop, hip-hop, folk and rock.
Also on the ballot are Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go's, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, Jerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of glam rock band Kiss.
News of Simmons and Stanley's inclusion comes days after the death of Ace Frehley, original guitarist and founding member of Kiss. Fraley, 74 years old, died October 16 in New Jersey.
Rounding out the singer-songwriter category are Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters (notable hits include “Goodbye To Love”, “Top Of The World” and “Yesterday Once More”), Harry Wayne Casey, better known as KC of KC, and the Sunshine Band (“Rock Your Baby”, “That's The Way (I Like It)” and “(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty”) and guitarist Boz Scaggs.
The hall welcomes both performers and non-performers every year. This year's final category nominees include disco songwriter Pete Bellotte (known for his work with Donna Summer on “Hot Stuff”, “I Feel Love” and “Love To Love You Baby”), Swedish pop producer from the legendary Cheiron Studios Andreas Karlsson (“I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys, NSYNC song “Bye Bye Bye” “Wake Up in Vegas” by Katy Perry) and Steve Kipner (“Physical” by Olivia Newton-John). “Genie in a Bottle” by Christina Aguilera.)
The list also includes long-standing Madonna co-writer Patrick Leonard (Like a Prayer, Live to Tell), Vini Poncia (Do I Love You? The Ronettes), Martin Page (Starships We Built This City) and duo Terry Brittain and Graham Lyle (What's Love Got to Do with Tina Turner).
Eligible voting members have until midnight ET on December 4 to turn in ballots selecting up to three candidates from the songwriter category and up to three from the performing songwriter category.
Country songwriters include Jeffrey Steele (“What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts), “The Cowboy in Me” by Tim McGraw) “Good Ol' Boys Like Me” by Don Williams) and Larry Weiss (“Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell, “Silver Linings Playbook” by Jeff Beck).
R&This year is also dominated by B-pop songwriters: Tom Snow (The Pointer Sisters' “He's So Shy”, Denis Williams' “Let's Hear it for the Boy”) and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. (“Umbrella” by Rihanna. “Single Ladies” and “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé.)
Several performers get another chance to get on stage. Walter Afanasiev, who helped Mariah Carey with her hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” who was previously nominated for the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame class, will be inducted again this year.
“Guess Who” Bachman and Cummings, as well as Bob McDill, known for country classics like Dan Seals' “All That Glitters (Ain't Gold),” also return as nominees.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was founded in 1969 to honor the creators of popular music. A songwriter with a notable song catalog is eligible for induction 20 years after the song's first commercial release.
Already in the hall are Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Phil Collins, REM, Steely Dan, Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsay and Timbaland.
Class of 2025. They included George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, Ashley Gorley, Rodney “The Dark Kid” Jerkins, Mike Love of The Beach Boys and Tony Macaulay.
The 2026 inductees will be announced in early 2026.
