The Stage

PRS Novello sponsorship longest in UK music history

Published Tuesday 1 June 2004 at 11:40 by Ruth Gillespie

The Performing Right Society has celebrated 30 years as the main sponsor of the Ivor Novello Awards during the 49th presentation at Le Meridien Grosvenor House on London’s Park Lane.

Having supported the awards for British songwriters, composers and music publishers since 1975, a new four-year agreement was struck in 2002 between the PRS and the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, which organises the annual ceremony, making it the longest running sponsorship deal in UK music history.

Speaking at the event, PRS chairman David Bedford said: “We are particularly proud of our relationship with the Ivors, which has seen the society provide increasing levels of support over the past 30 years, and I hope this will continue into the future. I am delighted that we will also be the main sponsor for the 50th presentation of the awards in 2005.”

The winners included:Best Song Musically and Lyrically: Leave Right Now by Francis Eg White, performed by Will Young, Universal Music Publishing.

Best Contemporary Song: Stronger Than Me by Amy Winehouse/Salaam Remi, performed by Amy Winehouse, EMI Music Publishing.

Best Original Music for Television: The Young Visiters by Nicholas Hooper, Trackdown Music.

The Ivors Dane Award: Strict Machine by Alison Goldfrapp/William Gregory/Nick Batt, performed by Goldfrapp, Warner/Chappell Music/Reverb 3 Music.

Best Original Film Score: Max, composed by Dan Jones, Rights Worldwide Ltd.

PRS Most Performed Work: Superstar by Mich Hansen/Joseph Belmaati/Remee, performed by Jamelia, Universal Music Publishing/Warner/Chappell Music.

International Hit of the Year: White Flag by Dido Armstrong/Rollo Armstrong/Rich Nowels, performed by Dido, Warner/Chappell Music/BMG Music Publishing/EMI Music Publishing.

Best Selling UK Single: Mad World by Roland Orzabal, performed by Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules, Chrysalis Music, Adventure/Sanctuary Records.

The Ivors Classical Music Award: Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.

Outstanding Song Collection: Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, Lol Creme, Graham Gouldman.

International Achievement: Thom Yorke, Ed O’Brien, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Philip Selway - Radiohead.

PRS Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Errol Brown.

Songwriters of the Year: Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, Ed Graham - The Darkness.

The Special International Award: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland - Holland Dozier Holland.