Aerosmith, Foreigner Honored at Songwriters Hall of Fame

Last night (June 13th), Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry along with long-estranged Foreigner co-founders Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at Manhattan's Marriott Marquis Hotel. Both Jones and Gramm, who parted ways in 2003 when Gramm quit the band, have suffered from health problems over recent years, with Gramm surviving a brain tumor and Jones recently undergoing open-heart surgery. Gramm, who still performs and is a born again Christian, was replaced by current lead singer Kelly Hansen in 2005. Foreigner was inducted by Billy Joel, and Jones and Gramm reunited to perform "Juke Box Hero" and "I Want To Know What Love Is" to a massive standing ovation.

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were inducted by Nickleback's Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake, who performed "Sweet Emotion" before doing the honors. Afterwards, the "Toxic Twins" took the stage for an event stealing rendition of "Walk This Way."

Other inductees last night included Don Henley and Glenn Frey's frequent Eagles collaborator, J.D. Souther -- inducted by Peter Asher, '60s British songsmith Tony Hatch -- inducted by Petula Clark, and '80s songwriter Holly Knight -- inducted by Patty Smyth. The 2013 Pioneer Award was presented to Motown founder, Berry Gordy, Jr. by Smokey Robinson with a slightly self-serving and at times rambling speech. Elton John and longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin were honored with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award by an extremely horse Sting, who opened the show with a performance of "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting." Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" was saluted as this year's Towering Song.