Sting will be named the BMI Icon at this year’s BMI London Awards in recognition of his four decades in music.
The event will be returning to London’s Dorchester Hotel on October 10 and will be hosted by BMI president and CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI executive director of writer/publisher relations, Europe and Asia, Brandon Bakshi.
Previous honourees for their “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers" include last year’s Icon Graham Gouldman of 10cc, Sir Tim Rice, Queen, Ray Davies, Van Morrison and Bryan Ferry.
“Sting is an icon in the truest sense of the word. His musical catalog has had an enormous impact on music lovers from around the globe across multiple generations,” said Bakshi. “We are extremely proud and honoured to name Sting as our BMI Icon not only for his work as a songwriter but also for his contributions as a composer, actor, author, activist and humanitarian.”
The annual gala will also pay tribute to the UK and European songwriters and publishers of the past year’s most-performed songs on US radio and television from BMI’s repertoire of nearly 12 million musical works. The Million-Air Awards, Song of the Year, and awards for pop, dance, film, television and cable television music will also be presented throughout the evening. Previous awards recipients include Ed Sheeran, Sam Smithand Ellie Goulding, as well as songwriters such as Wayne Hector (Nicki Minaj) and Jamie Scott (One Direction).
