Squeeze’s two venerable frontmen, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, walked away with the Outstanding Contribution to British Music” award at yesterday’s Ivor Novello Awards ceremony in London.
Mark Ronson presented the trophy to Difford and Tilbrook, and called the Ivors, “the most prestigious songwriting awards in the world, the Grammys of songwriting”.
It is the second time Difford has won an Ivor Novello Award, having previously won the “British Songwriter” Award in 1998. His band plan to start work on their first album in ten years in 2009. They are scheduled to play Womad (27th July), Beautiful Days – Devon (15th August), V Festival – Weston Park 16th August) and V Festival – Hylands Park (17th August). Squeeze then head to the USA for a massive tour in August.
Other winners at the ceremony included Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, who won a Lifetime Achievement award, Amy Winehouse (Best Song for “Love Is A Losing Game”) and Radiohead (Best Album for “In Rainbows”).
Phil Collins, won an International Achievement award suggested that the Ivor Novello recognition could mark a “full stop” in career. “My priorities in life have taken a considerable change in the past couple of years,” he said. “I’ve got two little boys and my world revolves around them.”
The odious MIka, meanwhile, was named Songwriter Of The Year.