Dock of the Bay writer honoured

Alicia Keyes was given the Starlight Award for young songwriters

The man behind the lyrics to two of Otis Redding's greatest hits - Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay and Knock on Wood - has been honoured by his peers.

Steve Cropper, who was a member of Booker T and the MGs, was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame at ceremony in New York on Thursday.

Cropper revealed record executives originally did not think his hits were good enough to be released.

Alicia Keys and Isaac Hayes were also recognised at the ceremony.

Keys was selected for the Starlight Award, which is given to accomplished young songwriters.

'Overwhelming'

Cropper said: "Knock on Wood literally got thrown off the session because they didn't think it was good enough and they though it sounded too much like Midnight Hour.

"It sat on the shelf like that for months."

He added: "To have these songs last as they have is really overwhelming. It is still exciting to me."

Soul star Bill Withers and Mary Poppins composers Richard and Robert Sherman were also honoured, while Les Paul was given a lifetime achievement award on his 90th birthday.

"[Les Paul] is one of the great all-time guitarists, and worked wonders making guitars, and here he is still playing and having a great time on his birthday," said Hal David, chief executive of the Hall of Fame.