ASCAP president and chairman Paul Williams paid a personal tribute to songwriting legend Hal David at the US society's annual London awards and dinner.
David, who passed away aged 91 in September, served as ASCAP's president from 1980 to 1986, a tenure which Williams said "helped to professionalise and humanise" the organisation.
The current ASCAP president told the London gathering at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Wednesday night that David had a deep affinity with the UK.
"He was so proud of the enthusiastic reception he always received in the UK," said Williams who described the lyricist as a "a priceless friend who will never be replaced".
The 32nd annual London awards, held to honour PRS for Music songwriters, composers and publishers whose repertoire is licensed by ASCAP in the US, included among its winners Taio Cruz, Steve Mac and Universal Music Publishing, which was named Publisher of the Year.
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