Gershwin Award Winners
2009 - Julie Andrews
2008 - Lionel Richie
2007 - Quincy Jones
2006 - Burt Bacharach
2005 - Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds
2004 - James Taylor
"I want to thank the Student Alumni Association and the UCLA Alumni Association for this fine and flattering honor. I am sure the Gershwin brothers are rolling over in their graves right now. Be that as it may, they can't do anything about it."
2003 - k.d. Lang
"It is a vocalist's dream to be ushered into the same paragraph as the Gershwins; so I am truly honored. I thank you so much, and I wish that all the singers and all the great talent we saw tonight have the great pleasure of singing Gershwin in their lifetimes."
2002 - Stevie Wonder
"I am very happy to receive this wonderful George and Ira Gershwin Award… as much as I have received awards, this is very, very special, because it is from you – the students and the staff and faculty of UCLA."
2001 - Clive Davis
"I am very touched to come among you. To see the spontaneity, the enthusiasm of each of you is very touching and it makes me feel very good and special."
2000 - Frank Sinatra (Tina Sinatra accepting)
"It is such a pleasure for me to accept this honor on my father's behalf so his memory will live on."
1999 - Diane Warren
"Just the fact that my name can be mentioned in the same breath as George and Ira Gershwin is mind-blowing. It really means a lot. This is great. Thank you very much."
1998 - John Lee Hooker
"I can't tell you how grateful I am to be here with the young and the old school kids. I can't thank you enough."
1997 - Randy Newman
"Anything with George Gershwin's name on it is to be treasured by me. It's a big thrill for me to come back [to UCLA] and get this award."
1996 - Tom Petty
"I'm very honored to receive this and to be invited here by UCLA. Tonight, I'm really grateful to receive this award. I do appreciate [George and Ira Gershwin's] work."
1995 - Bernadette Peters
"I'm so proud to be included amongst people like Angela Lansbury, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. It takes my breath away."
1994 - Mel Torme
"[George and Ira Gershwin] were two of the greatest tunesmiths and lyricists that ever graced this country. The songs they wrote were indelible, unforgettable, lasting, standard songs; and I am really proud to not only accept this award, but to be a part of a community that sings the Gershwin tunes."
1993 - Natalie Cole
"To that name, Gershwin, is attached words like timeless, incomparable, elegant and wonderful."
1992 - Debbie Allen
"Tonight is a great evening of self-expression and joy, and that's who I feel that I am. I feel like I belong to UCLA. I am inspired and challenged by you and by this award."
1991 - Ray Charles
"Throughout my musical career I have always been such an admirer of George and Ira Gershwin, because they were doing the kind of music that I came up with. This is such an honor for me, especially coming from UCLA."
1990 - Sarah Vaughan (Quincy Jones, accepting)
"The George and Ira Gershwin Award is exactly the appropriate honor to this giant of a lady and an artist who gave so much to our musical culture. This is just what she deserves."
1989 - Ella Fitzgerald
"I've listened to the show here tonight, and the talent is so great. That's our future, and it makes me very proud. I'd like to thank you for this honor of the Gershwin Award."
1988 - Angela Lansbury
"The music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin are synonymous with excellence. Their music haunted and inspired me as a young student and continues to do so to this day.
