Sting honoured with prestigious BMI Award
He was called “a brilliant songwriter, an artist”
He received the award because of his “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers”.
Sting received the Icon Award at last night’s BMI Awards in London.
BMI CEO Mike O’Neill bestowed the award on the ex-Police singer, who described him as “truly a creative force, a brilliant songwriter, an artist.”
Sting accepted the award, calling it “a fabulous honour”.
Credit: PA Images
“My dream to become a songwriter started many years ago.
“As a kid, I dreamt I would write songs, that I would sing those songs all over the world to millions of people, that I would be famous, that I would be paid extravagant amounts of money and win prestigious awards like this one, Grammys and Academy Award nominations, million selling albums.
“Well, I must have dreamt it pretty hard because, in fact, here I am, it happened for me.”
After accepting the award, Sting performed solo acoustic versions of his Police hits Message In A Bottle and Every Breath You Take, the second of which won a BMI Million-Air Award for receiving 13 million plays on US radio!
He then treated everyone to a performance of his new single, Heading South On The Great North Road. This track comes from Sting's new album, set for release on 11th November.
In picking up the Icon Award, the Roxanne singer joins past honourees including Queen and Bryan Ferry.
We’re so happy for him!
For a complete list of 2016 BMI London Award winners, visit the BMI website.