Berry Gordy to Be Honored by Songwriters Hall of Fame

Record producer and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy will be honored with the Pioneer Award at this year’s Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards gala.

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The award was established last year to "honor the career of a historic creator of an extensive body of musical work that has been a major influence on generations of songwriters," according to the organization. The 2012 award was given posthumously to Woody Guthrie.

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"Berry Gordy is an innovator and a visionary," said Jimmy Webb, Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman. "Yes, he created a label, but more than that, he created a genre. Think about it, he pioneered a marketplace for African-American artistry, and then he invited the world in to enjoy it."

Gordy and Motown Records are responsible for the careers of artists such as Diana Ross and The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, to name a few.

A musical based on Gordy’s life, Motown: The Musical, debuted on Broadway this week.

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Gordy will join previously announced Hall of Fame inductees Tony Hatch, Mick Jones, Lou Gramm, Holly Knight, JD Souther, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry at this year's event. The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 44th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner is slated for Thursday, June 13.