American performing rights body BMI yesterday saluted the European songwriters who had received the most play on US radio and television at their annual London based awards.
Former Talk Talk member Mark Hollis won the prize for Song Of The Year for 'It's My Life', a track he originally wrote for his own band, but which has enjoyed huge exposure in the US through a No Doubt cover version. Another songwriter enjoying new success through a cover version of a song they wrote for their own band was Roxette's Per Gessle, whose track 'Listen To Your Heart' won the Dance Award after enjoying new success in America through a cover version by Belgium-based duo DHT. Gessle, who co-wrote the song with Mats Persson, collected the award with his Roxette partner Marie Fredriksson, who was making her the first public appearance since a recent recovery from brain cancer.
Awards were also presented for songs that have now received more than two million US radio or TV performances - winners including Sting for 'Every Breath You Take' and Van Morrison for 'Brown Eyed Girl'. Meanwhile British band Snow Patrol won the College Song Of The Year award for their track 'Run'.
The big award of the evening was the BMI Icon prize, presented to legendary songwriter and recording artist Steve Winwood, who was honoured for his "enduring influence on generations of music makers".