Elton John to Receive First-Ever Brits Icon Award

NME reports that Sir Elton John will be the recipient of the first-ever Brits Icon Award, to be presented at an awards ceremony on September 2. The event will be broadcast on ITV at a later date.

A spokesperson for the Brit Awards told NME, "This new award aims to recognize the very highest level of British music achievement. Many artists have made an outstanding contribution, but only a select few have shaped our very culture - not just here in the UK, but in the rest of the World too. This prestigious new 'Hall of Fame' award has been introduced to acknowledge this very special level of achievement."

In a statement, the Grammy winner said, "It's a tremendous honour and a real thrill for me to have my work acknowledged in this way, and I'm really looking forward to participating in what promises to be a very special occasion."

Added Brit Awards chief executive Geoff Taylor, "The Brit Awards has recognised many exceptional artists whose music has connected with millions of fans. A few of these artists, such as Sir Elton John, have achieved such a level of artistic creativity and originality, critical acclaim, global recognition and popular success that they deserve to be recognised as true Icons of our cultural life."

John was recently forced to cancel his summer tour dates, including a concert in London's Hyde Park, after being diagnosed with appendicitis.

Elton collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice on the soundtrack for The Lion King, winning him an Academy Award. The album produced two top-selling, award-winning singles: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life." The Tony Award-winning Broadway productions of The Lion King and Aida both won Grammys for Best Musical Show Album. Elton composed the music for Billy Elliot, which was nominated for a record nine Olivier Awards, winning Best Musical, among others. He garnered a top-five U.K. hit with the song "Electricity." Billy Elliot was nominated for a record-tying 15 Tony Awards and won ten including Best Musical. Elton was also one of the producers for Next Fall on Broadway. In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which today is one of the leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations. In 1998, the Queen of England knighted him Sir Elton John, CBE. In 2004, Elton received the Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contributions to American culture and excellence through the performing arts.

In his four-decade career John has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. His single "Candle in the Wind 1997" has sold over 33 million copies worldwide, and is the best selling single in Billboard history.

He has more than 50 Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive No. 1 US albums, 56 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No. 2 hits, and nine No. 1 hits. He has won six Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Tony Award.. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him Number 49 on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.

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