This year, she is joining the Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with such artists as John Mellencamp, Alan Jackson, Kool & the Gang, Bill Anderson, Jermaine Dupri, and Steve Dorff.
She began her career writing songs in the early ’70s, when she worked at such record labels as Columbia and Epic. She would write radio commercials, advertisements and liner notes for such diverse musical acts as Barbra Streisand, Laura Nyro, Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire, among countless others. She had her first tune recorded in 1974 by Bonnie Raitt, and in the late ’70s, Patti LaBelle started recording her songs regularly. She co-wrote “Boogie Wonderland” and “September,” both of which became huge hits for Earth, Wind & Fire. Willis also co-wrote the music and lyrics of the Broadway musical The Color Purple with Stephen Bray and Brenda Russell.
In 1995, The Rembrandts recorded her smash song “I’ll Be There For You,” which subsequently earned Willis an Emmy nomination. It was the popular theme song for the hit television series Friends.
For more information on multifaceted entertainer and visionary artist Allee Willis, check out her official homepage.
Read More: Allee Willis chatted with Digital Journal about her upcoming induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
