John Fogerty, RAYE, KISS, Kenny Loggins & More Songwriters Hall of Fame Honorees Share Stories Behind Their Biggest Hits
Walter Afanasieff, Graham Lyle & Terry Britten and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart also tell the tales behind their Hot 100 smashes.
Black News 
Beyoncé’s four-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” may have literally missed a beat if not for some singular studio magic. KISS’ iconic anthem “Rock and Roll All Nite” came to life in a hotel room after a motivating mandate from the band’s label. “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” the song that revitalized Tina Turner’s career, originated from its writers’ love of Bob Marley.
John Fogerty’s mother introduced him to songwriting when he was just three years old, through the 19th century song “Camptown Races.” As the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) bestows on him the Johnny Mercer Award, its highest honor, he reflects on “Proud Mary,” the song that set the bar for all Creedence Clearwater Revival and solo hits to come. Billboard cover star RAYE, recipient of this year’s Hal David Starlight Award, which goes to a gifted young songwriter making a significant impact, attributes the juxtaposition of sincere and sassy vibes on her hit “Where Is My Husband!” to her innate “British-ness.”
The Songwriters Hall of Fame will honor the class of 2026 on Thursday (June 11) at a gala celebration in New York City where Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette, Kenny Loggins, and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS will be honored alongside non-performing songwriters Walter Afanasieff, Terry Britten & Graham Lyle and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart.
The SHOF was established in 1969 by Johnny Mercer, Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. Linda Moran was elected president of the organization in 2001 and has served as president and CEO since 2011. Nile Rodgers, a SHOF honoree in 2016, serves as chairman of the board.
Read on for the stories behind some of the greatest hits of all time straight from the writers’ mouths.
