The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers aka thee ASCAP Pop Music Awards shall honor brilliant young artist Billie Eilish & thee forever eternal iconic Blondie!
“Fresh off the release of her record-breaking Billboard 200 No. 1 debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, Billie Eilish is adding another accolade to her resume — the pop phenom will receive the Vanguard Award at ASCAP’s upcoming Pop Music Awards, the organization has announced.
Previous recipients of the prestigious honor, given to innovators shaping the future of music, include Janelle Monáe and the Beastie Boys. Eilish will accept the award along with her songwriting and production collaborator (and brother) FINNEAS.
The 36th annual ceremony will also honor Electric Light Orchestra mastermind Jeff Lynne with the Founders Award for songwriters and composers, and Blondie icons Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke with the career-encompassing Golden Note Award.
“It is so exciting to have legendary music heroes and groundbreaking talents of all eras sharing our Pop Music Awards stage and recognized for their distinctive contributions to music,” said ASCAP chairman of the board and president Paul Williams. “Jeff Lynne has led a singular career and we are all fortunate that his musical genius has been felt so widely. His legendary stature is well-deserved and ASCAP is very proud to present him with our highest honor.
“Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke electrified an underground music scene and later mainstream listeners when they married punk and pop with Debbie’s enviably cool lyrics and voice,” he continued. “Their experimentation with nearly every genre — rock, punk, reggae, rap, disco — anchored by their roots in great songwriting, is what truly sets them apart.
“Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell are mesmerizing the pop world with their inventive songs and sounds that speak for a new generation of music listeners. Their music shows us how classic themes of love and desire can manifest themselves in song in endlessly fresh and compelling ways.”
The invitation-only awards ceremony is slated for May 16 in Beverly Hills.” – Billboard.com
