One of the UK’s most successful female artists ever with record sales exceeding 80 million, singer-songwriter Annie Lennox has been announced as this year’s recipient of the O2 Silver Clef Award.Presented at the forthcoming Nordoff Robbins Awards Lunch on July 1st, the prize is given to a British artist to recognise their contribution to the UK music landscape. And the former Eurythmics singer is a worthy winner.
In a career spanning over 30 years, Lennox has picked up several accolades for her work, including a number of Brit and Grammy awards.
After studying flute and classical music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Lennox went on to become lead singer of Eurythmics and carve her own solo career. Commenting on the news, she said she was “thrilled and honoured” to receive the award from the Nordoff Robbins charity.
“I’ve supported Nordoff Robbins over the years and I’m a firm believer in their work and the healing power of music,” she added.
Her sentiments were shared by the charity’s chairman David Munns, who passed his congratulations on to the singer.
“As a prize that recognises the contribution a British artiste has made to music, I can think of no more worthy recipient. As an outstanding musician and philanthropist, Annie’s influence has been felt globally,” he said.
Known globally as an icon within pop culture, Lennox’s distinctive contralto vocals have earned her the title of The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive by VH1 and a place in Rolling Stone’s definitive The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time list.
In the past, Silver Clef winners have included Muse, The Who, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Sting, Take That and Kylie Minogue.