Taylor Swift, Kiss' Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Christopher Tricky Stewart, Alanis Morissette and Kenny Loggins make up the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees. Swift's songwriting has undeniably shaped contemporary pop music trends and she'll no doubt bring extra attention to this year's new class. Kiss founders Simmons and Stanley fresh off the band's farewell will also be recognized for their glam rock classics Rock and Roll All Nite and I Love It Loud.
More than 550 people attended to cheer on the eclectic group of trailblazers, stars and out-and-out icons. This year's Hall of Fame honorees were San Jose Earthquakes star Landon Donovan; USA Rugby's "Captain America," Todd Clever; women's wrestling pioneer Afsoon Roshanzamir Johnston; longtime Oak Grove High football coach Eddie Buller and retired San Jose Giants General Manager Mark Wilson, who will go down in history as the man who invented the "beer batter" promotion.