UNITED KINGDOM: THE UK'S FIRST EVER MUSIC HALL OF FAME DEBUTS AT THE HACKNEY EMPIRE IN EAST LONDON

Record ID: 389353

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: THE UK'S FIRST EVER MUSIC HALL OF FAME DEBUTS AT THE HACKNEY EMPIRE IN EAST LONDON
  • Date: 17th November 2004
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 11 2004)(REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) ROBBIE WILLIAMS WITH AWARD AT PHOTO CALL (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 2nd December 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAQBY0PTZMI0QXR0EB8FSCHUW4
  • Story Text: Bono, lead singer of Irish rock band U2, was handed an award inducting him into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
    Minutes later the reluctant recipient joked that he was tempted to hand it back.
    After an evening of glamour and gloss Thursday to launch the inaugural awards chosen by the British public, the frontman quipped: "I really didn't want to come," he told Reuters Television.
    "Only respect for the people who were running the show has me here. I hate the idea of being in the UK Hall of Fame to be honest with you ... We don't want to be in any Hall of Fame until we're retired or dead."
    U2, which is launching a new album "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," was one of five acts named as founding members of the new institution along with Madonna, Bob Marley, the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
    The awards ceremony, held at the Hackney Empire in east London, attracted only a handful of top stars. Madonna, U2 and the Rolling Stone Ron Wood were among the big names attending.
    British singer Cliff Richard and The Shadows won the award for the 1950s, Michael Jackson the 1980s and Robbie Williams the 1990s.
    As one of five founding members to be inducted into the hall of fame, Madonna, spoke of her fondness for her adopted country on collecting her award. "If somebody had said when I was a little girl in the mid West that I would be inducted into the UK music Hall of Fame I'd have said 'bollocks to that'. It's great to be famous but that doesn't mean you have something to say."
    On collecting her award , Madonna told Reuters, "It's not another award, I think I'm in very good company. I'm honoured to be part of that group."
    Elvis Presley's former wife Priscilla, 59, picked up his honorary award. She said: "Elvis would be very proud...
    I wish that he could be here to enjoy this moment."
    She added: "His dream, that of a world tour, was never realised. His fan base was so strong here, and because of that he would have been very proud to receive this."
    Rita, widow of Bob Marley, picked up his honorary award, telling Reuters, "Bob felt that this was home ground more so than Jamaica because this was where we got most of our awards, sold out concerts. I knew it would happen one day here, we are happy for it...the feeling is still there.
    And where ever Bob is, I know he is happy tonight."
    Picking up the award for the Rolling Stones to represent the 1960s was guitarist Ronnie Wood, 57. He joked about his wild days: "I wasn't even there in the 1960s as you all know. But I'm here now."
    Queen took the top spot for the 1970's category relegating the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and David Bowie to battle it out another year.
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