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The surprise induction ceremony took place at the Target Centre arena in Minneapolis which was screening the Purple Rain movie to mark the 40th anniversary of its 27 July 1984 theatrical release. Several hundred unsuspecting purple dressed fans had gathered there to watch the movie. A screening of its recently released 4K edition simultaneously took place at a sold out event at Paisley Park organised by The Prince Estate.
The award was presented by Prince’s long-term business associate Gilbert Davison, who ran the Glam Slam clubs in the 1990s. It was accepted by Prince’s sister Sharon Nelson on behalf of the family. Sheila E was also there for the presentation, by happy coincidence in town playing the nearby Dakota Club. Minor cast members of the original movie were also in attendance.
Although Prince became eligible for the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1998, he was first nominated in 2005 but did not receive enough votes in the ballot. Renominated in 2013, being unable to attend the gala at the time its rules meant that he could not be inducted. Prince reputedly agreed with the organisation to defer his induction to July 2016, plans which were tragically cancelled due to his sudden death that April.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 by Johnny Mercer, Abe Olman and Howie Richmond to honour artists with notable catalogues. Nile Rodgers is the institution’s current chairman. Eligibility begins twenty years after the commercial release of an artist’s first song. In Prince’s case, this was twenty years following the release of For You in 1978. Other inductees in 2024 include R.E.M. and Steely Dan. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 (requiring 25 years for eligibility), Prince’s 2024 induction to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an honour he regarded most important to him, is seen by many fans and non-fans alike as long overdue – Prince having written some of the most recognisable songs of the 1980s as well as shaped the course of music well into the 1990s and beyond. His songs include hits he gave to other artists, famously Chaka Khan (I Feel For You), The Bangles (Manic Monday), and Sinead O’Connor (Nothing Compares 2 U). Inductees for the Songwriters Hall of Fame are typically announced in June – when it was announced Prince was to be recognised with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame sometime during 2025.
Be it his Oscar or seven Grammys, our insufficiently awarded Prince picked up many deserved gongs far and wide. Learn about all the major awards Prince won.
