Richie Is Part of Songwriters Hall Lineup

The 2015 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place tonight in New York City, and one of the stars who'll be on hand to participate in the evening's festivities is Richie Sambora. The founding Bon Jovi guitarist will team up with longtime Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin to induct late blues legend Willie Dixon.

Sambora tells ABC Radio that he and Taupin, with whom he's been writing songs lately, actually were instrumental in getting Dixon into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

"Bernie called [me] and he said, 'We gotta get Willie inducted,'" Richie recalls. "And so we went and we kind of campaigned for him, 'cause he was a real pioneer."

Sambora, who's playing has long been influenced by the blues, points out that Dixon wrote such classic tunes as "Hoochie Coochie Man," "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Wang Dang Doodle" and many other songs that artists have covered throughout the years. He adds that Willie, who died in 1992 at the age of 76, also was "quite a profound lyricist."

In addition to ushering Dixon into the Songwriters Hall, Richie also will be performing a musical tribute, a medley of some of Willie's classic tunes.

Sambora is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame himself, having been inducted alongside Jon Bon Jovi in 2009. He tells ABC Radio that it's one of the greatest honors he's ever received, "because songs are the foundation of what happens [as a musician]."

As previously reported, the other songwriters getting inducted this year include late Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia and his longtime lyricist Robert Hunter, pop star Cyndi Lauper, country singer Toby Keith, ex-4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry and country hit maker Bobby Braddock. In addition, Van Morrison will be presented with the Hall of Fame's highest honor, the Johnny Mercer Award, and Lady Gaga will receive the first-ever Contemporary Icon Award.

Regarding Morrison's award, which recognizes composers who have "established a history of outstanding creative works," Sambora says Morrison deserves it: "I mean, come on....My God, the body of work that that man has created, and greatness."

Richie also says the fact that Morrison will be on hand to accept the honor shows just how prestigious artists consider the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction gala to be. "I know Van, and Van don't come out for nothing," he insists.

Meanwhile, Sambora tells ABC Radio that he'll be taking part in another cool music event in New York City later this week. He'll be a special guest at Billy Joel's concert this Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

"You know, [Billy's] a friend and he asked me if I wanted to come and play," says Richie. "I said, 'I'd be honored,' you know."

For more info about the Songwriters Hall of Fame and this year's induction ceremony, visit SongHall.org.

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