Debbie Gibson Floored by Tony Macaulay Tribute at SHOF Gala

A Night To Remember At The Songwriters Hall Gala

Pop icon Debbie Gibson took to Instagram on June 14, 2024, to share her excitement after performing alongside legendary songwriter Tony Macaulay at the 54th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame gala in New York City. In a heartfelt caption, Gibson wrote, “Thank you @songwritershof, Tony Macaulay for this brilliant song, and @variety for the review of a lifetime! 🥹 Floored!!!” The event, held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, honors the pioneers behind some of the greatest hits in popular music.

Buttercup Brilliance

Gibson and Macaulay treated the audience to an energetic rendition of “Build Me Up Buttercup,” the 1968 classic that Macaulay penned with Mike d’Abo for The Foundations. The pair delivered a playful duet that featured Gibson on vocals and piano, while Macaulay joined her on stage for a walk down memory lane. A video shared by Gibson shows them laughing and trading lines, proving that the song still brings joy more than five decades after its release.

All-star Backing Band

In her Instagram post, Gibson also thanked an impressive lineup of collaborators who backed the performance:
• Rob Mathes (arranger and musical director)
• Fonzi Thornton (vocals)
• Bashiri Johnson (percussion)
• Jill Dellabate (backing vocals)
• Angela Clemmons (backing vocals)
• James Genus (bass)
• Shawn Pelton (drums)
• Erick Walls (guitar)
• Linda Moran (industry veteran)
• Rebecca Shap (Songwriters Hall crew)
These musicians have worked with everyone from Paul Simon to Mariah Carey, and they brought a tight, soulful groove to the stage.

A Celebration Of Songwriting

The Songwriters Hall of Fame gala is an annual celebration that spotlights the creative forces behind the songs we love. This year’s event paid tribute to Macaulay’s contributions—his catalog includes chart-toppers like “Don’t Give Up on Us” (David Soul) and “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” (Edison Lighthouse). Variety praised Gibson’s performance as “an irresistible blast of nostalgia,” calling it one of the night’s standout moments.

Gibson’s Ongoing Creative Journey

Debbie Gibson first burst onto the scene in 1987 as a teenager with the hit “Only in My Dreams,” and went on to score US No. 1 singles such as “Foolish Beat.” Beyond her pop-star past, she has carved a new chapter as a Broadway actress, appearing in productions like Sunset Boulevard. Her recent posts on Instagram reflect a busy year of songwriting, recording, and live shows—including an upcoming acoustic tour this fall.

More performances and tributes from this year’s gala will be released in the coming weeks. Gibson hinted at further collaborations with fellow honorees, writing, “More to come with all of the incredible songwriters and artists who were a part of this year’s festivities, but first wanted to take a moment just for Tony and this performance! Stay tuned… 😉”

Debbie Gibson’s partnership with Tony Macaulay bridged pop-era generations, reminding fans why great songs endure. As the Songwriters Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the craft of songwriting, moments like this one—full of laughter, music, and shared history—shine brightest of all.

Trivia

Debbie Gibson gained fame in the late 1980s with her hit single 'Only in My Dreams', which peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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Sakshi

 

Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.

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