Taylor Swift, along with Kiss’s Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Tricky Stewart, Alanis Morissette, and Kenny Loggins have been announced as the 2026 inductees into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame. Swift’s impactful songwriting has significantly influenced contemporary pop music trends and is expected to bring added attention to this year’s new class.
The founding members of Kiss, Simmons and Stanley, are being recognized for their contributions to glam rock with classic hits like “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Love It Loud.” Joining them as nominees are soft-rock legend Kenny Loggins, known for songs like “Footloose” and “Danny’s Song,” alt-rock icon Alanis Morissette with hits like “You Oughta Know” and “Ironic,” and the influential R&B songwriter and producer, Tricky Stewart, famous for works such as Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies.”
The induction ceremony for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame will take place on June 11 in New York City. The Songwriters Hall of Fame annually honors both performers and non-performers, with this year’s non-performer category including the duo Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, known for Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
Notably, some performers gain entry after multiple nominations, as seen with Walter Afanasieff, who collaborated with Mariah Carey on the hit song “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Although previously nominated in the 2025 class, Afanasieff did not make the cut then but is set to be inducted this year.
Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Nile Rodgers, emphasized the importance of songwriters in the music industry, highlighting their role in creating unforgettable songs that form the foundation of recorded music and live performances, ultimately connecting with audiences across genres.
Established in 1969 to recognize creators of popular music, the Songwriters Hall of Fame requires a songwriter to have a notable catalog of songs and be eligible for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. Past inductees include music legends like Elton John, Brian Wilson, Carole King, and Paul Simon, among others. The 2025 class featured artists such as George Clinton, The Doobie Brothers, and Ashley Gorley.