‘Twist and Shout’ Songwriter Bert Berns Posthumously Inducted Into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

Bert Berns, the precocious songwriter whose galore hits see “Twist and Shout,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Hang connected Sloopy” and “I Want Candy,” was inducted posthumously into the Songwriters Hall of Fame successful a ceremonial held connected Wednesday (Sept. 10) astatine 54 Below cabaret nine successful New York City.

Berns died much than a half-century ago, truthful portion his sanction whitethorn not beryllium acquainted to all, his songs are.

“Twist and Shout” was a apical 20 deed connected the Billboard Hot 100 for The Isley Brothers successful 1962 and a No. 2 smash for The Beatles successful 1964. The Beatles’ signaling returned to the apical 30 successful 1986, erstwhile it was featured successful the box-office deed Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

“Piece of My Heart” was a No. 62 deed connected Hot 100 deed successful 1967 for Erma Franklin (Aretha’s elder sister) and a No. 12 smash successful 1968 for Big Brother & the Holding Company, with Janis Joplin retired front.

“Hang connected Sloopy” was a No. 1 deed successful 1965 for The McCoys. It was besides a No. 11 deed that aforesaid twelvemonth for Ramsey Lewis Trio.

“I Want Candy” was a No. 11 deed connected the Hot 100 successful 1965 for The Strangeloves.

Other hits that Berns wrote oregon cowrote see The Exciters’ “Tell Him” (No. 4 connected the Hot 100 successful 1963), Betty Harris’ “Cry to Me” (No. 23 successful 1963) and Wilson Pickett’s “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” (No. 29 successful 1967).

In addition, helium produced songs helium didn’t person a manus successful writing, including The Drifters’ “Under the Boardwalk” and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” some of which made the apical 10 connected the Hot 100.

The lawsuit was hosted by instrumentalist Paul Shaffer and Berns’ lad Brett and girl Cassandra. Tributes included video messages from SHOF inductees Paul McCartney and Van Morrison. Guests included Steven Van Zandt and SHOF inductee Steve Miller. Also successful attendance were manufacture veterans Joel Selvin, Russ Titelman, Avery Lipman, Kenny Laguna and SHOF Board members Charlie Feldman and Pete Ganbarg, president of the SHOF Legacy Committee.

The solemnisation of Berns’ bequest included unrecorded performances by Cassandra Berns, vocalist Betty Harris, Tony-nominated histrion Mary Bridget Davies (A Night With Janis Joplin)&n...