ASCAP was founded today (February 13th) in New York City in 1914! A meeting was organized with over 100 visionary music leaders at New York's Hotel Claridge to discuss a radical idea -- the formation of a Society of music creators, for music creators and by music creators to collect and distribute royalties for the public performances of their music. ASCAP was officially created on that evening. For songwriters and composers, this monumental event would forever change music history. The Society's founding members included some of the most popular songwriters and composers of the day, including Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, John Philip Sousa and James Weldon Johnson.
Victor Herbert realized what a problem enforcement had become when he walked into a hotel one evening and heard one of his own songs being played. Knowing he hadn't given permission or been paid for his music, he set out to create an organization that would stand up for the rights of music creators.
The principles on which ASCAP was founded remain the same today. We are still 100% member-owned and governed by a Board of Directors elected by and from the membership. We are still the strongest advocates for songwriters and composers. We are still writing and publishing the world's most performed music.
Today, ASCAP has more than 425,000 members representing all genres of music all around the world. As we celebrate some of our members who were among the winners or performers at last night’s Grammys, including Paul Epworth, Foo Fighters, Skrillex, Paul McCartney, Dan Wilson, Ryan Tedder, Jay-Z, Melanie Fiona, Bon Iver, Tony Bennett, Kid Cudi and Fergie, Maná, The Civil Wars, Stephen Marley, Levon Helm, Laura Story, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Eric Whitacre and so many others, we are proud that they call ASCAP home.
