Holland-Dozier-Holland

Johnny Mercer Award

Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland are one of the most accomplished songwriting teams in the history of popular music. Their credits include Top Ten Hits: “Stop In The Name Of Love,” “Baby Love,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “You Just Keep Me Hanging On,” “Nowhere To Run,” “Love Is Like A Heat Wave,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” “Sugar Pie,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You,” and “Can I Get A Witness.” Holland-Dozier-Holland’s music has had over 100 million airplays. The world will agree that Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland were an integral part of Berry Gordy’s Motown.

Holland-Dozier-Holland’s rendering of “Come and Get These Memories” by Martha and The Vandellas, heralded their crossover from the R&B charts onto Pop Music’s broad landscape. The coming together of these three talents and the rise of their songs to the top of the charts paralleled the rise of Motown Records as a music powerhouse that crossed economical lines and bridged cultural barriers. The Holland-Dozier-Holland configuration has composed over 400 songs, 130 of which have scored on the Pop Charts, over 70 were Top Ten Hits and more than 40 reached the number one chart position.

In 1987, The National Academy of Songwriters bestowed upon these prolific composers its Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1988, yet another honor would be bestowed upon these composers. This time the Songwriters Hall of Fame would induct them into its hallowed halls. The names Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland were inscribed beside such luminaries as the Gershwins, Rodgers and Hart, Lennon and McCartney, Kern, Porter, Berlin, Ellington, Sondheim and their ilk.

In 1990, Holland-Dozier-Holland were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 1998, they received the prestigious Grammy Trustees Award, a Special Merit Award presented by vote of the Recording Academy’s National Trustees to individuals who, during their careers in music, have made significant contributions, other than performance, to the field of recording.

In 2003, the legendary trio became the recipients of the 2003 BMI ICON Award presented at the 51st Annual BMI Pop Award Dinner. The award is presented to songwriters who have been unique and indelible influences on generations of music makers. In a separate ceremony held prior to the BMI Pop Award dinner, they were honored by The Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame by imprinting their hands along side such legendary musicians as Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, George Clinton, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder and the Funk Brothers.

In 2004, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland were presented with The Special International Ivor Novella Award by The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters in association with The Performing Rights Society (PRS). In 2006, Holland-Dozier-Holland were chosen to compose original music and lyrics for the Broadway bound musical incarnation of the 1996 film The First Wives Club. Holland-Dozier-Holland’s accomplishments continue to satisfy the needs of Artists, Producers and Creative Directors in Film, Television, Commercials, Cover Recordings and Sample usages across the globe.