As the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy has become synonymous with soul, R&B and funk at their creative and commercial peak. Naturally, the man has been honored for his achievements in music several times over, and that’s going to happen again this June when the Songwriters Hall of Fame bestows is Pioneer Award on Gordy at this year’s induction ceremony.

“Berry Gordy is an innovator and a visionary,” said Jimmy Webb, the chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “He pioneered a marketplace for African-American artistry and then invited the whole world to enjoy it. Berry was way ahead of his time…Berry and the Motown sound are essential to the American music story.”

The last person to receive the Pioneer Award was Woody Guthrie, so Gordy will be in pretty well-regarded company. The induction ceremony for the Songwriters Hall of Fame will take place on June 13th.