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NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 Taylor Swift,<\/a> Kenny Loggins, LL Cool J,<\/a> Pink, Sarah McLachlan<\/a> and Talking Heads’ David Byrne are among the impressive list of nominees for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame class, an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop, folk and rock innovators.<\/p>\n Also on the ballot are Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go\u2019s, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the glam rock band Kiss.<\/a><\/p>\n News of Simmons and Stanley’s inclusion comes days after the death of Ace Frehley, Kiss’ original lead guitarist and founding member. Frehley, 74, died Oct. 16<\/a> in New Jersey.<\/p>\n Rounding out the performer-songwriter category is Richard Carpenter of The Carpenters (notable hits include \u201cGoodbye To Love,\u201d \u201cTop Of The World\u201d and \u201cYesterday Once More\u201d), Harry Wayne Casey, better known as KC of KC and the Sunshine Band (\u201cRock Your Baby,\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s The Way (I Like It)\u201d and \u201c(Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty\u201d) and guitarist Boz Scaggs.<\/p>\n The Hall annually inducts performers and non-performers alike. The latter category’s nominees this year include disco songwriter Pete Bellotte (known for his work with Donna Summer<\/a> on \u201cHot Stuff,\u201d \u201cI Feel Love\u201d and \u201cLove To Love You Baby\u201d), Swedish pop producer of the legendary Cheiron Studios, Andreas Carlsson (Backstreet Boys’ \u201cI Want It That Way,\u201d NSYNC’s \u201cBye Bye Bye,\u201d<\/a> Katy Perry’s \u201cWaking Up In Vegas\u201d) and Steve Kipner (Olivia Newton-John’s \u201cPhysical,\u201d Christina Aguilera’s \u201cGenie In A Bottle.\u201d)<\/a><\/p>\n The list also includes longtime Madonna<\/a> collaborator Patrick Leonard (\u201cLike A Prayer,\u201d \u201cLive To Tell\u201d), Vini Poncia (The Ronettes’ \u201cDo I Love You?,”), Martin Page (Starships’ \u201cWe Built This City\u201d), Kenny Nolan (Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade\u201d) and the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (Tina Turner’s \u201cWhat\u2019s Love Got To Do With It.\u201d)<\/p>\n Eligible voting members have until midnight Eastern on Dec. 4 to turn in ballots with their choices of up to three nominees from the songwriter category and up to three from the performing-songwriter category.<\/p>\n Representing country songwriters are Jeffrey Steele (Rascal Flatts’ \u201cWhat Hurts The Most,\u201d Tim McGraw’s \u201cThe Cowboy In Me\u201d),<\/a> Don Williams’ \u201cGood Ole Boys Like Me\u201d) and Larry Weiss (Glen Campbell’s \u201cRhinestone Cowboy,\u201d Jeff Beck’s \u201cHi Ho Silver Lining.\u201d)<\/p>\n R&B-pop songwriters are also prevalent this year with Tom Snow (The Pointer Sisters’ \u201cHe’s So Shy,\u201d Deniece Williams’ \u201cLet\u2019s Hear it for the Boy\u201d) and Christopher \u201cTricky\u201d Stewart (Rihanna’s \u201cUmbrella,\u201d<\/a> Beyonc\u00e9’s \u201cSingle Ladies\u201d and \u201cBreak My Soul.\u201d)<\/p>\n A few performers are getting another shot at entry. Walter Afanasieff, who helped Mariah Carey<\/a> with her smash \u201cAll I Want for Christmas Is You\u201d and who was previously nominated in the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame class, is up for induction again this year.<\/p>\n The Guess Who\u2019s Bachman and Cummings \u2014 as well as Bob McDill, known for country classics like Dan Seals\u2019 \u201cEverything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)\u201d \u2014 are also returning nominees.<\/p>\n The Songwriters Hall of Fame was established in 1969 to honor those creating the popular music. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song.<\/p>\n Some already in the hall include Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Carole King, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Lionel Richie, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Phil Collins, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Dean Pitchford, Hillary Lindsey and Timbaland<\/a>.<\/p>\n