Special awards were presented to lyricist Sir Tim Rice and to Dame Monica Mason, who is shortly to leave her post as director of the Royal Ballet after 54 years with the company. Sir Tim attributed the longevity of his career to "good stories and good tunes" and said "an awful lot of it was [down to] luck".
Golden Oldie - Sir Bruce Forsyth is to share a stage with Bob Dylan, Suede and Primal Scream at a music festival in Kent. The veteran entertainer and Strictly Come Dancing host is performing with his big band at Hop Farm Music Festival in Paddock Wood in July. Sir Bruce, 84, recently made his musical comeback by releasing an album of standards after signing with EMI. "I am honoured. He will be the talking point of the festival," said Hop Farm Festival organiser Vince Power. "Not only has he never appeared at a festival, he's never been to a festival. He has been in this business for over 70 years and is a true, true legend."
Anarchy In The UK - The Sex Pistols protest song God Save The Queen is to be re-released 35 years after its debut, in time for the Diamond Jubilee in June. The track, which featured a defaced image of the Queen on the original cover, was released during the Silver Jubilee in 1977 and was subsequently banned by the BBC. Nevertheless, it entered the chart at number two.The Sex Pistols' label, Universal, will also re-release the band's debut album.
Novello Awards - Adele, Kate Bush and PJ Harvey will battle it out for best album at next month's Ivor Novello awards. Two of Adele's tracks, Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You, are nominated for most performed work, alongside Take That's The Flood. Rolling in the Deep is also up for best song muscially and lyrically.The annual awards, to be presented in London on 17 May, celebrate British and Irish songwriting and composing and are voted for by songwriters.
No Show - Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, despite his public rejection of the accolade. Rose, who did not attend the induction ceremony on Saturday, declined the honour earlier this week, saying he felt neither "wanted or respected". An on-stage reference to Rose drew boos at the event, attended by other members of the rock band's line-up. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys and Donovan were among others honoured.
(Jim Evans)
