Gershwin Prize - History

History

The Gershwin Prize was created and first awarded by the Library of Congress in 2007 under the leadership of Librarian of Congress James H. Billington to recognize "the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture" as part of the Library's mission to recognize and celebrate creativity. The recipient of the Gershwin Prize is said to: "exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins." In selecting the recipient, the Librarian of Congress works with staff of the Library's Music Division as well as the broader music community. On March 1, 2007, Paul Simon was announced as the first recipient of the new award, which joins other awards bestowed by the Library including the Living Legend and Kluge Prize. The Prize was awarded to Simon during a Concert Gala featuring his music at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on the evening of May 23, 2007. The event was nationally broadcast on PBS on the evening of June 27, 2007. Performers included Yolanda Adams, Marc Anthony, Shawn Colvin, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Jessy Dixon and the Jessy Dixon Singers, Jerry Douglas, Philip Glass, Alison Krauss, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lyle Lovett, Stephen Marley, Dianne Reeves, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, and Buckwheat Zydeco, as well as Simon's former collaborator Art Garfunkel.

On September 3, 2008, the Library of Congress announced that Stevie Wonder would become the second recipient of the honor. President Barack Obama presented Wonder with the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize at a ceremony at the White House on February 25, 2009. Performers included Wonder as well as India.Arie, Tony Bennett, Wayne Brady, Anita Johnson, Diana Krall, Mary Mary, Martina McBride, Rickey Minor, Paul Simon, Esperanza Spalding and will.i.am.

On November 18, 2009, the Library of Congress announced Sir Paul McCartney as the third recipient of the honor. The ceremony for McCartney was held on June 2, 2010 in the East Room of the White House with President Obama and Mrs. Obama in attendance. Performers included McCartney as well as Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Lang Lang and Jack White, with remarks by Jerry Seinfeld.

On September 27, 2011, the Library of Congress announced Burt Bacharach and Hal David as the fourth recipients of the honor. The presentation ceremony was held May 9, 2012 during a White House tribute concert (recorded for later broadcast on PBS) with the President and Mrs. Obama in attendance. Performers included Dionne Warwick, the singer most associated with the duo's works, Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall, Lyle Lovett, Sheryl Crow, Mike Myers, Arturo Sandoval, and Michael Feinstein, who spoke of Ira Gershwin's admiration of the pair's songs.