Berry Gordy to Receive Songwriters Hall of Fame Honor

Record producer and founder of Motown Records Berry Gordy speaks onstage after receiving the Unity Globe Award during The 16th Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit – Day 1 at The Roosevelt Hotel on January 31, 2013 in New York City

*Berry Gordy is making room for yet another award in his collection.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame organization announced Tuesday that the Motown founder will receive the Pioneer Award at its 44th annual induction ceremony on June 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

The award was established last year to honor people who have “been a major influence on generations of songwriters.” It was presented posthumously to Woody Guthrie.

As the head of Motown, Gordy helped establish careers and hits for Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five. A Broadway musical about Gordy’s life, “Motown: The Musical,” debuted this week.

Previously announced inductees include Tony Hatch, Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, Holly Knight, JD Souther, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.