LaBelle to get achievement award

NEW YORK, June 11 (UPI) -- The National Academy of Popular Music-Songwriters Hall of Fame will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Patti LaBelle in New York Thursday night.

This year's Towering Song award will be presented to Tony Bennett's timeless hit "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" -- written by George C. Cory Jr. and Douglass Cross. Bennett also will be recognized for his recording of the song, with the hall's newest honor -- the Towering Performance Award.

"The Towering Performance Award has been established to recognize one of a kind performances by one of a kind singers," said Hall of Fame Chairman-Chief Executive Officer Hal David.

"For our first presentation of this award, we feel that Tony Bennett is the perfect choice. Tony Bennett is a songwriter's singer, who has recorded outstanding and unforgettable interpretations of many pop songs which have become standards."

This year's class of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees includes Phil Collins, Little Richard, Van Morrison and Queen. Jimmy Webb ("Up, Up and Away," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix") is this year's recipient of the Johnny Mercer Award. Legendary record company executive Clive Davis will receive the Hitmaker Award.

The lineup of presenters includes Ray Charles, Berry Gordy, Billy Joel and Wynonna Judd. Legendary music producer Phil Ramone will produce the 34th annual induction and awards dinner. The ceremony will be taped for telecast on the Bravo cable network on July 9.