- Title: UK: IVOR NOVELLO AWARDS CEREMONY
- Date: 25th May 2001
- Summary: SV (English) JOHN BARRY, SAYING : "I'm overwhelmed. To be back here in England and to receive this from my home is extraordinarily special, you don't know how special it is. It's being home, it's being embraced by everyone here that was a part of just everything I'd ever done."
- Embargoed: 9th June 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA2O7HFMKKJTAF2SL79CVUS2JM3
- Story Text: The star of the 46th Ivor Novello Awards ceremony in London is Stevie Wonder. The singer received "The Special International Award" at the event. "Best Contemporary Song"
went to "Seven Days" by Britain's Craig David, who had walked away empty handed from this year's Brit Awards (also held in London). It was revenge time for him. The Ivors are for British songwriters, composers and music publishers and are held annually in London.
Stevie Wonder picked up a "Special International Award" at this year's Ivor Novello Awards - the 46th such ceremony intended for songwriters, composers and music publishers.
The Ivors were set up to reflect the talent of British songwriters and composers.
The star of the entertainment was undoubtedly Stevie Wonder who took The Special International Award. It has only been twice before given out - to Hal David, and Lieber and Stoller.
Southampton singer, Craig David, more than made up for losing out entirely at this year's Brit Awards by picking up three Ivors : for Best Contemporary Song with "Seven Days", The Ivors Dance Award with "Woman Trouble", and, with Mark Hill, Songwriter of the Year.
Roy Wood, the creative genius behind The Move and Wizzard, was given an Ivor for Outstanding Song Collection.
The PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music went to the Clash; International Achievement went to Iron Maiden; the Lifetime Achievement Award went to The Who's Pete Townshend, and the Academy Fellowship went to the veteran film composer John Barry - who wrote classic film scores like "Born Free", "Out of Africa", and "Dances with Wolves." It is only the second Fellowship of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters to have been awarded - last year, in fact, to Sir Paul McCartney.
"The Best Song Musically and Lyrically" went to David Gray who was unable to receive it in person due to touring the United States - he was actually on a tour bus motoring towards Oregon ! "The Best Original Music for a Television/Radio Broadcast" went to Sir Richard Rodney Bennett for "Gormenghast." "The Best Original Film Score" went to Michael Kamen for "X-Men." "The Performing Right Society Most Performed Work" went to Shaznay Lewis and William Orbit for "Pure Shores." "The International Hit of the Year" went to the UK's Sonique for "It Feels So Good".
"The PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music" went to The Clash, following the Pet Shop Boys last year, and "The Award for International Achievement" went to Iron Maiden, regarded by many as the true titans of the heavy metal genre.
The band is fronted once more by Bruce Dickinson, a former public schoolboy from Oundle, with a penchant for the sport of fencing.
Shaznay Lewis, formerly of All Saints, was on hand to pick up "The PRS Most Performed Work" - "Pure Shores" - which she wrote for her all girl band, with William Orbit, Madonna's producer. This song beat "Rise" by Gabrielle and "Rock DJ" by Robbie Williams. Lewis says she's "excited but a little scared" of going solo, following the disintegration of All Saints.
Stevie Wonder thrilled the audience who gave him a standing ovation as he launched into an impromptu solo song about how much he loves London.
Perhaps the only damp squib of the proceedings was the non-appearance by Bob Dylan, on his 60 birthday. Joe Strummer, of The Clash, had told national radio that Dylan had confirmed in a mobile phone call that he was coming. In the end, he did not appear, but such was the tidal wave of appreciation for Stevie Wonder, Pete Townshend and Craig David - in particular - nobody seemed to mind.
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