More about: The Clash
The Clash are to receive the The Silver Clef Award for outstanding contribution to UK music at this year’s ceremony for the 38th edition of the awards.
Previous winners of the award, which is the main prize of the event, include British icons like Queen, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd as well as more dubious selections M People and Dido.
Funds raised by the event are donated to the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity. Nordoff-Robbins chairman David Munns said of this year’s reciepients: “The Clash’s music has just as much influence today as it did when they came onto the music scene in 1976. It is no wonder London Calling has been described as one of the most influential rock albums of all time.”
He added: “Having been enormously influential in the UK music scene for over 35 years, I can think of no band more deserving of this award than The Clash.”
Reacting to news of the award Clash guitarist Mick Jones said: “Nordoff-Robbins do great work and it feels special to be recognised at the O2 Silver Clef Awards.”
London Calling is still regarded as one of the most influential albums ever
The Clash rose to prominence amid London’s blossoming punk scene in the 1970s but proved far more versatile than other punk bands like the Sex Pistols.
Their seminal album London Calling was released in December 1979 but was named best album of the year in 1980 by Rolling Stone.
Joe Strummer passed away in 2002, just before the band were due to reunite on stage to mark their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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More about: The Clash