Peter Gabriel Receives Top Honor at BMI London Awards
BMI saluted Europe’s premier songwriters, composers and music publishers at its 2007 London Awards, held October 16 in the Grand Ballroom of London’s Dorchester Hotel. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant, along with Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Europe & Asia, Brandon Bakshi, the awards honored the past year’s most-played songs on U.S. radio and television and also recognized Peter Gabriel (PRS) as a BMI Icon for his “influence on generations of music makers.”
Gabriel’s achievements, whether musical, visual or humanitarian, are the work of a true visionary. The co-founder of rock band Genesis, Gabriel left the group in 1975 to begin a critically acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning solo career. Thus far, he has released 11 albums featuring self-penned gems and BMI million-performance songs, including “Big Time,” “Solsbury Hill,” “Sledgehammer” and “In Your Eyes,” and composed soundtracks for numerous films, including Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ. Amongst other bold endeavors, Gabriel founded Real World companies in 1987, housing his recording, publishing, film and multi-media ventures under one progressive roof. An early participant in Human Rights Now! and recipient of the Nobel Peace Laureates’ “Man of Peace” Award, Peter Gabriel founded world human rights advocacy supergroup TheElders.org in July 2007, with Richard Branson and Nelson Mandela.
“Unwritten,” co-penned by Danielle Brisebois and Natasha Bedingfield (PRS), received one of the organization’s highest accolades, the Robert S. Musel Award for Song of the Year. The award, named after the U.S. performing right organization’s longtime consultant to the U.K., annually honors the most-performed song of the year written by a member or members of BMI’s European sister organizations. Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS) and recorded by Bedingfield, “Unwritten” was the title track to Bedingfield’s platinum-selling debut album.
International phenomenon “Crazy,” co-written by GianFranco Reverberi and GianPiero Reverberi (both SIAE), along with Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo Green, earned BMI’s College Song of the Year crown for tallying the most performances on American college radio. Published by Universal Music Publishing Ricordi srl (SIAE) and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS), the award-winning song first leapt to the top of the British charts solely thanks to digital downloads.
Bestowed on the song with the most hits on BMI-licensed websites, the Internet Award went to James Blunt’s infectious “You’re Beautiful,” co-authored by Blunt, Amanda Ghost and Sacha Skarbek (all PRS), and published by Bucks Music Group Ltd. and EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (both PRS).
The Gorillaz’s “Dare,” co-written by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett (both PRS), took home BMI’s Dance Award. Also published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS) and featuring the vocal stylings of Shaun Ryder, “Dare” debuted atop the UK singles chart, officially making it the Gorillaz’s first No. 1 hit in Britain.
Prestigious “Million-Air” certificates were also presented throughout the evening in recognition of those songs that have achieved over three million U.S. radio and television performances — the equivalent of more than 17 years of continuous airplay. The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” topped the list, with a staggering nine-million performance award for songwriter Sting (PRS). Sting was also honored for five-million performance song “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.” Living legend Van Morrison (PRS) penned two hits on the list: his classic “Brown Eyed Girl,” which has amassed eight million performances, and four million performance song “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.” Additional “Million-Air” recipients included Sir Elton John, John Lennon, Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Sir Trevor Nunn, Lord Lloyd Webber, Shania Twain and Steve Winwood (all PRS).
KT Tunstall (BMI), Harry Gregson-Williams, Rupert Gregson-Williams, Natasha Bedingfield, James Blunt, Pete Townshend, Snow Patrol members Gary Lightbody, Nathan Connolly, Paul Wilson, Tom Simpson and Jonny Quinn (all PRS), along with Alexandre Desplat (SACEM) and Karl Bartos (GEMA), garnered multiple awards in recognition of their songwriting skills: each composed two or more songs on the most-performed Pop, Film, Television, Cable, Emmy, Golden Globe or Urban Award lists. Reflecting music’s increasingly global reach, BMI also honored two Jamaican hitmakers alongside the European songwriters and publishers. Don Corleon, writer of “Break It Off” and “When you Gonna (Give it Up to Me),” and “Break It Off” co-writer Kirk Ford both received their first London Awards.
High-resolution photos from the event will be available to registered users only at bmi.com/press. To request access, please contact mediarelations@bmi.com.
Below is the complete list of 2007 BMI London Award winners:
Icon
Peter Gabriel
The Robert S. Musel Award
UNWRITTEN
Natasha Bedingfield (PRS)
Danielle Brisebois (BMI)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
College Song
CRAZY
GianFranco Reverberi (SIAE)
GianPiero Reverberi (SIAE)
Cee-Lo Green (BMI)
Universal Music Publishing Ricordi srl (SIAE)
Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
Internet Award
YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL
James Blunt (PRS)
Amanda Ghost (PRS)
Sacha Skarbek (PRS)
Bucks Music Group Ltd. (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
Dance Award
DARE
Damon Albarn (PRS)
Jamie Hewlett (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
Pop Awards
BLACK HORSE AND THE CHERRY TREE
KT Tunstall (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (PRS)
BREAK IT OFF
Don Corleon (BMI)
Kirk Ford (BMI)
Rihanna (BMI)
Greensleeves Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
BRIGHTER THAN SUNSHINE
Matt Hales (PRS)
Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
CHASING CARS
Nathan Connolly (PRS)
Gary Lightbody (PRS)
Jonny Quinn (PRS)
Tom Simpson (PRS)
Paul Wilson (PRS)
Big Life Music Ltd. (PRS)
CRAZY
GianFranco Reverberi (SIAE)
GianPiero Reverberi (SIAE)
Cee-Lo Green (BMI)
Universal Music Publishing Ricordi srl (SIAE)
Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
DARE
Damon Albarn (PRS)
Jamie Hewlett (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
EVERYTIME WE TOUCH
Maggie Reilly (PRS)
Stuart MacKillop (GEMA)
Peter Risavy (GEMA)
Mambo/Sony/ATV Music Publishing Germany (GEMA)
FERGALICIOUS
Karl Bartos (GEMA)
Derrick Rahming (BMI)
will.i.am (BMI)
Hanseatic Musikverlag GmbH (GEMA)
GOLD LION
Brian Chase (BMI)
Karen Orzolek (BMI)
Nick Zinner (BMI)
Chrysalis Music Ltd. (PRS)
GOODBYE MY LOVER
James Blunt (PRS)
Sacha Skarbek (PRS)
Bucks Music Group Ltd. (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
HANDS OPEN
Nathan Connolly (PRS)
Gary Lightbody (PRS)
Jonny Quinn (PRS)
Tom Simpson (PRS)
Paul Wilson (PRS)
Big Life Music Ltd. (PRS)
HIGH
James Blunt (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
IS IT ANY WONDER?
Tom Chaplin (PRS)
Richard Hughes (PRS)
Universal Music Publishing Group (PRS)
PRECIOUS
Martin Gore (PRS)
Grabbing Hands Music Ltd./EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
PUT YOUR RECORDS ON
Corinne Bailey Rae (PRS)
Global Talent Publishing (PRS)
SINGLE
Natasha Bedingfield (PRS)
Andrew Frampton (PRS)
Wayne Wilkins (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
In-Genius Songs Ltd. (PRS)
STARS ARE BLIND
Sheppard Solomon (BMI)
V2 Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
SUDDENLY I SEE
KT Tunstall (BMI)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (PRS)
TALK
Karl Bartos (GEMA)
Hanseatic Musikverlag GmbH (GEMA)
UNDER PRESSURE
David Bowie (PRS)
John Deacon (PRS)
Brian May (PRS)
Freddie Mercury (PRS)
Roger Taylor (PRS)
Queen Music Ltd./EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
Tintoretto Music/RZO Music Ltd. (PRS)
UNWRITTEN (2nd Award)
Natasha Bedingfield (PRS)
Danielle Brisebois (BMI)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
WINGS OF A BUTTERFLY
Ville Valo (TEOSTO)
Oy Heartagram Ltd. (TEOSTO)
YOU ‘RE BEAUTIFUL (2nd Award)
James Blunt (PRS)
Amanda Ghost (PRS)
Sacha Skarbek (PRS)
Bucks Music Group Ltd. (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
Film Music Awards
CASINO ROYALE
David Arnold (PRS)
CLICK
Rupert Gregson-Williams (PRS)
DÉJÀ VU
Harry Gregson-Williams (PRS)
FLUSHED AWAY
Harry Gregson-Williams (PRS)
MIAMI VICE
John Murphy (PRS)
OVER THE HEDGE
Rupert Gregson-Williams (PRS)
THE QUEEN
Alexandre Desplat (SACEM)
TV Music Awards
CSI
Pete Townshend (PRS)
CSI: MIAMI
Pete Townshend (PRS)
CSI: NY
Pete Townshend (PRS)
GREY’S ANATOMY
Carim Clasmann (PRS)
Galia Durant (PRS)
HOUSE
Robert Del Naja (PRS)
Grantley Marshall (PRS)
Andrew Vowles (PRS)
Cable Awards
DEXTER
Rolfe Kent (PRS)
THE HILLS
Natasha Bedingfield (PRS)
Emmy Award
MASTERS OF HORROR
Edward Shearmur (BMI)
Golden Globe Award
THE PAINTED VEIL
Alexandre Desplat (SACEM)
Urban Awards
(WHEN YOU GONNA) GIVE IT UP TO ME
Don Corleon (BMI)
Greensleeves Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
IRREPLACEABLE
Amund Bjøerklund (TONO)
Espen Lind (TONO)
Ne-Yo (BMI)
Stellar Songs Ltd./EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
YOU
Gary Kemp (PRS)
Jasper Cameron (BMI)
Lil Wayne (BMI)
Reformation Publishing Co. Ltd. (PRS)
Country Awards
SUMMERTIME
Steve McEwan (PRS)
SUNSHINE AND SUMMERTIME
Kylie Sackley (APRA)
Rodney Clawson (BMI)
Latin Award
ALGO ESTA CAMBIANDO
Julieta Venegas (SGAE)
MULTI-MILLION PERFORMANCE AWARDS
9 Million
EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE
Sting (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
GM Sumner (PRS)
8 Million
BROWN EYED GIRL
Van Morrison (PRS)
Universal Music Publishing International Limited (PRS)
7 Million
YOUR SONG
Sir Elton John (PRS)
Bernie Taupin (BMI)
Universal Music Publishing Limited (PRS)
6 Million
DANIEL
Sir Elton John (PRS)
Bernie Taupin (BMI)
Universal Music Publishing Limited (PRS)
5 Million
AND I LOVE HER
John Lennon (PRS)
DON’T STOP
Christine McVie (BMI)
EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC
Sting (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
GM Sumner (PRS)
HONKY TONK WOMEN
Sir Mick Jagger (PRS)
Keith Richards (PRS)
THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
Alan Price (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
4 Million
ANY MAN OF MINE
Shania Twain (PRS)
BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP
Michael D’Abo (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU
Van Morrison (PRS)
Exile Publishing Ltd./Universal Music Publishing Limited (PRS)
IN TOO DEEP
Tony Banks (PRS)
Phil Collins (PRS)
Mike Rutherford (PRS)
Hit & Run/EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL
Gordon Mills (PRS)
Les Reed (PRS)
Valley Music Ltd. (PRS)
PENNY LANE
John Lennon (PRS)
ROLL WITH IT
Steve Winwood (PRS)
Lamont Dozier (BMI)
Brian Holland (BMI)
Eddie Holland (BMI)
Will Jennings (BMI)
F S Ltd. (PRS)
YOU GOTTA BE
Des’ree (PRS)
Ashley Ingram (PRS)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (PRS)
Universal Music Publishing Group (PRS)
3 Million
BROWN SUGAR
Sir Mick Jagger (PRS)
Keith Richards (PRS)
FERRY ACROSS THE MERSEY
Gerry Marsden (PRS)
Universal Music Publishing Limited (PRS)
FLY
Craig Bullock (BMI)
Stan Frazier (BMI)
Murphy Karges (BMI)
Mark McGrath (BMI)
Alan Shacklock (BMI)
Rodney Sheppard (BMI)
Carlin Music Corp. (PRS)
I MELT WITH YOU
Richard Brown (PRS)
Mick Conroy (PRS)
Robbie Grey (PRS)
Gary McDowell (PRS)
Stephen Walker (PRS)
Universal Music Publishing Group (PRS)
IF YOU LOVE ME (LET ME KNOW)
John Rostill (PRS)
Petal Music Ltd. (PRS)
LADY
Graeham Goble (APRA)
Warner/Chappell Pty Ltd. (APRA)
MEMORY
T.S. Eliot (PRS)
Trevor Nunn (PRS)
Andrew Lloyd Webber (PRS)
Faber Music Ltd. (PRS)
The Really Useful Group Ltd. (PRS)
MISSING
Tracey Thorn (PRS)
Ben Watt (PRS)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (PRS)
THE SIGN
Jenny Berggren (STIM)
Jonas Berggren (STIM)
Malin Berggren (STIM)
Ulf Ekberg (STIM)
Megasong Publishing (STIM)
TAKE ON ME
Magne Furuholmen (PRS)
Morten Harket (PRS)
Pål Waaktaar (PRS)
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (PRS)
THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE
Graham Gouldman (PRS)
Eric Stewart (PRS)
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS)
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