SONGWRITERS HALL TO HONOR SIR LUCIAN

Universal Music Group Chairman/CEO Sir Lucian Grainge (pictured with Steve Miller, who's penned his share of hit songs over the years) will receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award at the group’s induction ceremony in New York on 6/14.

The Hitmaker award is given to an artist or industry “star maker” with a significant history who recognizes the value of songs and songwriters. Previous honorees include Clive Davis, Doug Morris, Phil Ramone and Seymour Stein. Variety was the first to report the story.

“While today Sir Lucian runs the world’s leading music company, he began his career nearly 40 years ago as a song plugger for April Blackwood Music,” said Hall co-chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. “His career in music publishing continued over the years, including launching Polygram Music Publishing U.K. and building it into one of the biggest publishers. He epitomizes what the Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award represents.”

Hall President/CEO Linda Moran added, “Sir Lucian has always recognized that it all truly begins with a song and has never ceased championing songwriters.”

The event will be held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.