ASCAP Founders Award

The ASCAP Founders Award is our most prestigious honor and is given to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius, which will enrich generations to come.

Sean "Diddy" Combs	2011
Rod Stewart	2011
Alan Jackson	2010
Dr. Dre	2010
Patti Smith	2010
Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart	2009
Alan & Marilyn Bergman	2008
Melissa Etheridge	2007
Annie Lennox	2006
Rubén Blades	2005
Neil Young	2005
Jackson Browne	2004
Emmylou Harris	2004
Elvis Costello	2003
James Taylor	2002
Elmer Bernstein	2001
Arturo Sandoval	2001
Tom Waits	2001
Steely Dan	2000
Garth Brooks	1999
Joni Mitchell	1999
Stephen Sondheim	1999
Billy Joel	1997
Ashford & Simpson	1996
George Martin	1996
Don Henley & Glen Frey	1994
Tito Puente	1994
Burt Bacharach & Hal David	1993
Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller	1991
Berry Gordy Jr. and Motown Industries	1988
Smokey Robinson	1988
Jule Styne	1988
Bob Dylan	1986
Paul McCartney	1985
Stevie Wonder	1984