Songwriters' Shrine Honors Jimmy Webb

By Scott Simon

Published February 8, 2003 at 12:00 AM EST

The Songwriters Hall of Fame gives Jimmy Webb the Johnny Mercer Award for "a history of outstanding creative works." Among his classics: "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Galveston" and "Wichita Lineman." NPR's Scott Simon offers an appreciation.

Scott Simon

Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.

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