ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) held its 31st annual awards in London last night, honouring British writers whose work is licensed by ASCAP in the US.
Pop singer/songwriter Taio Cruz was named Songwriter of the Year, and also took home the Song of the Year honour for his hit single Dynamite. The British native has dominated the charts across the globe in the last year, landing him consecutive number one hit singles in the U.S. with Break Your Heart and Dynamite. These singles were among EMI Publishing's most performed songs, along with Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears, earning EMI the ASCAP 'Publisher of the Year' accolade.
Rapper Plan B was present to collect the Vanguard Award in recognition of his chart-topping album The Defamation of Strickland Banks. Paloma Faith also picked up the College Award in person for Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful.
A highlight of the evening was a special tribute to Oscar and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Hal David in celebration of his 90th birthday. Madeleine Bell performed Alfie and The Look of Love, and Deacon Blue's Ricky Ross performed Never Fall In Love Again, a hit that Deacon Blue had a number two hit with in 1990. Along with long-time collaborator Burt Bacharach, Hal David's songbook of hits also includes memorable classics Close to You, I Say a Little Prayer, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, Walk on By, What the World Needs Now is Love and countless others.
Other award recipients included U2 (Beautiful Day, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and With or Without You,) Paul McCartney (Come Together), Phil Collins (In the Air Tonight,) Annie Lennox (Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),) Rod Temperton (Thriller), Coldplay (Viva La Vida) and Imogen Heap (Whatcha Say).
For a complete list of winners, visit www.ascap.com.
Pop singer/songwriter Taio Cruz was named Songwriter of the Year, and also took home the Song of the Year honour for his hit single Dynamite. The British native has dominated the charts across the globe in the last year, landing him consecutive number one hit singles in the U.S. with Break Your Heart and Dynamite. These singles were among EMI Publishing's most performed songs, along with Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears, earning EMI the ASCAP 'Publisher of the Year' accolade.
Rapper Plan B was present to collect the Vanguard Award in recognition of his chart-topping album The Defamation of Strickland Banks. Paloma Faith also picked up the College Award in person for Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful.
A highlight of the evening was a special tribute to Oscar and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Hal David in celebration of his 90th birthday. Madeleine Bell performed Alfie and The Look of Love, and Deacon Blue's Ricky Ross performed Never Fall In Love Again, a hit that Deacon Blue had a number two hit with in 1990. Along with long-time collaborator Burt Bacharach, Hal David's songbook of hits also includes memorable classics Close to You, I Say a Little Prayer, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, Walk on By, What the World Needs Now is Love and countless others.
Other award recipients included U2 (Beautiful Day, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and With or Without You,) Paul McCartney (Come Together), Phil Collins (In the Air Tonight,) Annie Lennox (Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),) Rod Temperton (Thriller), Coldplay (Viva La Vida) and Imogen Heap (Whatcha Say).
For a complete list of winners, visit www.ascap.com.
