If there's one thing wrong with the music industry, it's the lack of opportunity to give awards to Paul McCartney, David Bowie and Morrissey. Well, worry no more, because here comes a new awards programme to address the problem.
Ah well, if there has to be an award ceremony dedicated to lifetime achievements in music, better it be in the hands of the MOJO team. The EMAP title will launch its own awards on 22 Jun designed to recognise long term musical skills and offerings.
Among the categories will be Icon Award, with nominees including David Bowie, Kate Bush, Marvin Gaye, Morrissey and Prince.
Joe Strummer, Arthur Lee, The Smiths, David Bowie and Johnny Cash are all up for an Inspiration Award, while Sir Paul McCartney, Ray Davies from The Kinks, Paul Weller, Elvis Costello and the late Nick Drake are nominated in a songwriting category.
The awards will be made at a small gathering at Banqueting House in Whitehall later this month.
Announcing the awards, Mojo Editor-in-Chief Phil Alexander told reporters: "This is about music that's built to last and that has provided us with the soundtrack to our lives. Other awards celebrate the biggest names and the best releases of the preceding year. We believe there's long been a need to properly honour the extraordinary talents of the artists, bands and songwriters whose careers have been responsible for enhancing our rich musical culture".