Taylor Swift, along with Kiss’s Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Tricky Stewart, Alanis Morissette, and Kenny Loggins have been announced as the inductees for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame. Swift’s impact on contemporary pop music trends through her songwriting is undeniable and is expected to bring significant attention to this year’s new class.
Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley, known for their glam rock classics “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud,” will be honored following the band’s recent farewell tour. Other nominees for this year’s induction include soft-rock legend Loggins, alt-rock icon Morissette, and R&B songwriter and producer Christopher (Tricky) Stewart, renowned for his work on tracks like Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies.”
The induction ceremony for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame is scheduled for June 11 in New York City. The Hall recognizes both performers and non-performers, with this year’s latter category featuring the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, known for their work on Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
Notably, past nominees like Walter Afanasieff, who collaborated with Mariah Carey on “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” are also being inducted this year after previous nominations. The Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers emphasized the vital role of songwriters in the music industry, highlighting their contribution to creating memorable songs and uniting various genres.
Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame celebrates those who have made significant contributions to popular music. Inductees must have a notable catalogue of songs and become eligible for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. Previous inductees include Elton John, Brian Wilson, Carole King, Bruce Springsteen, and Phil Collins, among others. The 2025 class featured George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, and Ashley Gorley, among others.