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Today in New York City, Hal David, the legendary lyricist and songwriting partner with Burt Bacharach, announced his resignation as Chairman of  the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  If his name doesn’t ring a bell, his catalog of songs contains at least a couple that you should recognize.  Among the many are “Do You Know the Way To San Jose” recorded by Dionne Warwick, “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” by B.J. Thomas, “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson, “(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me” by either Lou Johnson/Sandie Shaw/or Naked Eyes, and “Close To You” by the Carpenters.  I was surprised to hear this news, I guess mainly because I had just met the man in October, and the story struck a chord with me (ha ha).  Because I am a member of this organization, I am privy to an inside scoop now and then, but this was something that I just didn’t see coming.

Mr. David gave this statement to the press this morning:  “I feel the goals I set when I accepted the Songwriters Hall of Fame chairmanship 10 years ago have largely been accomplished, including the establishment of a bricks and mortar home at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Therefore, today I am announcing my decision to step down as Chairman. I look forward to devoting all of my energies to my first love, songwriting.”

Songwriters Hall of Fame’s President Linda Moran said that the Board had voted Hal David Chairman Emeritus.  This same position was held from 1993 to 1998 by, coincidentally, the Chairman Of the Board, Frank Sinatra.  Anyway, the Board established a search committee to find a successor to fill the shoes of this memorable songwriter.

ESW