NEW YORK -- The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced its 2004 inductees. The list of five was culled from 20 nominees. They are Charles Fox, Al Green, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Don McLean and the songwriting duo Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield.

Charles Fox, along with longtime collaborator Norman Gimbel, wrote hit songs in many genres, including the TV themes "Happy Days," "Making Our Dreams Come True" (from Laverne & Shirley) and "Different Worlds" (from Angie).   Fox's biggest composition was originally written for and recorded by Lori Lieberman, but became a Roberta Flack  #1 hit: "Killing Me Softly With His Song."

Lieberman's inspiration for that song, as relayed to Fox, was seeing another of the inductees perform in concert: Don McLean. McLean, best known for his epic "American Pie", has said of his induction:  "This is wonderful, and unexpected validation for an old lone wolf like me. I am deeply moved."

Hall & Oates are touring this summer with Michael McDonald and AWB, and their induction marks the first recognition of their songwriting talents.  Al Green, who continues to bridge the gospel and secular music worlds, has previously been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Whitfield and Strong were key to the Motown sound of the late-'60s and early-'70s, writing the label's biggest song:  "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".   They also penned "War" for Edwin Starr and revamped the
Temptations' sound with "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next to You," "Psychedelic Shack" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."

The organization's 35th annual induction and awards dinner will be held June 10th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York."We are looking forward to another terrific and memorable evening where we spotlight the accomplishments of those who have provided us with the words and music that form the soundtrack of our lives," Hal David, chairman and chief executive officer of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, said in a recent statement.

	Songwriters Hall of Fame Hall & Oates Website Al Green Website Don McLean Website