To quote the legendary Nile Rodgers (of disco band Chic fame) – the new Chair of the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame: ‘The first thing you need to know is it’s about the song; the second thing you need to know is it’s about the song; and the third thing you need to know is it’s about the song.’ I think the man made his point! And he would know, having written a few classics himself including the disco anthems ‘Le Freak‘ and ‘We Are Family‘, not to mention co-writing and co-producing with such legends as Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Madonna. The Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomes a fresh new group of inductees, in this its 50th anniversary year – with the big ceremony in New York on June 13th.

I’m excited about spotlighting several of this year’s new inductees including a few names we’d know mainly by reading album liner notes and composers’ credits – but these are the folks who MADE the songs that became hits for the stars. Among them the man Johnny Cash called his ‘all-time favourite songwriter‘ (Tom T. Hall), a man who wrote hits for The Eagles (Jack Tempchin), and another who wrote with and for giants like Madonna and Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Aretha Franklin (Dallas Austin). Then there’s John Prine and Cat Stevens – they’re finally inducted as well.

That’ll be our main feature in the next program – but I’ll also continue our year-long series on ‘the greatest groups of our time – in alphabetical order‘ – with the letter ‘K’, for KC & The Sunshine Band. This Miami-based group had 5 #1 hits in the disco-years of the late 70s. And, of course, I’ll start the program with our ‘Fabulous Fifties – and Beyond‘ … our recently-launched hour-long adventure during that magical first decade of rock’n’roll. It’ll be a great show – so tune in – Sunday afternoon at 2pm. for ‘Vintage Favourites’, from Zoomer Radio.