MUMBAI: Punk rock band Blondie’s front woman Deborah Harry is to be the first female artiste to be honoured with the NME’s Godlike Genius award when she receives it in person with her band Blondie on 26 February. Blondie will also be performing live at the NME award ceremony.
“We’ve always had a special relationship with the UK and this is great, it’s nice to be recognised and it’s an outstanding list,” Blondie said. “To be honoured so nicely, and to play music. What could be better?”
Along with influencing the music industry and being an inspiration to the likes of Lady Gaga, the band moulded the music, fashion and art worlds since the inception of the band in the mid 1970s. Blondie, along with several accolades, has records sales that total over 40 million worldwide.
“As they celebrate their 40th anniversary, there could be no other band more worthy of being honoured as NME’s Godlike Genius 2014 than Blondie,” said Mike Williams, NME editor. “They re-wrote the rulebook in the late 70s by dragging punk rock to the top of the charts, and their classic songs still sound as fresh as ever today. Everyone from Iggy Pop, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga and Julian Casablancas have looked to Debbie Harry for inspiration – she’s the most iconic frontwoman rock’n’roll has ever produced.”
A scanty few have been awarded the Godlike Genius award like The Clash, The Cure, Dave Grohl, Noel Gallaher, Manic Street Preachers and Paul Weller. The Smiths’ song-writer and guitarist Johnny Marr were awarded in 2013 Godlike Genius award. The only woman who received the award was rock photographer Pennie Smith, who shared it with music journalist Nick Kent in 2002 but otherwise, no woman has won it in its 20 years.
Music fans are currently voting across 20 categories ahead of the awards. Festival favourites Arctic Monkeys have been nominated for eight, while sister trio Haim are up for six. Queens of the Stone Age, Lily Allen and Arcade Fire have three nods each. The NME Awards ceremony takes place on Wednesday 26 February at the O2 Academy, Brixton.