Rock awards finally offer legends some respect

It is intended to be the rock 'n' roll bash that will make all previous contenders seem like an after-party for a Cliff Richard gig.

It is intended to be the rock 'n' roll bash that will make all previous contenders seem like an after-party for a Cliff Richard gig.

The music industry's royalty - the Modfathers, the Mozzas and the Maccas - will all be there.

Some have had their talents recognised by Buckingham Palace while others have had to settle for a visit to the Priory.

But never before will so many have been gathered in the same place for a session of boozing and mutual back-slapping.

The inaugural Mojo Honours List is intended to be a music awards ceremony like no other.

The setting will be Inigo Jones's 17th-century Banqueting House on Whitehall, which was originally built for royal receptions and masques. Whether it is wise to set loose so many old rockers among the Palladian magnificence of Ionic and Corinthian columns and ceilings painted by Rubens will only be known after the tidying up on 22 June.

Phil Alexander, the editor-in-chief of Mojo magazine, said the event had been convened because of a perceived lack of respect for the elders of music. He said: "In the UK we are really good at forgetting our heritage.

"An act that has been around for 10 years is considered a has-been whereas in other parts of the world acts of a certain stature are considered legendary." Alexander said that the numerous other music awards ceremonies were "short-termist" in their outlook. "Most ceremonies have one life-time achievement award," he said. "The aim of this event is to allow these people to enjoy themselves and celebrate the achievements of their peers. What you will, in effect, get is a series of legendary guys having a good time together." The short list for the Mojo Icon award pits Morrissey (who is spending the summer in Britain, touring his new album You Are The Quarry and curating the Meltdown Festival) against Kate Bush, David Bowie, Prince and the late Marvin Gaye. The list was voted for by listeners to Mojo radio and is restricted to artists that have enjoyed "a spectacular career on a global scale and become a genuine household name". The nominated artists for the Inspiration award, given to "an act or person who has been the catalyst, the trigger, the inspiration for everyone to get up and do it for themselves", includes three British names. Bowie, the Smiths and the Clash will be up against the late Johnny Cash and Arthur Lee, the frontman for the cult Sixties group Love. An award for best-songwriter is an all-British affair, pitting Sir Paul McCartney and Ray Davies against Elvis Costello and Paul Weller. The fifth nominee is the late Nick Drake, who recently had his first chart success with the single "Magic", albeit posthumously.

Other awards on the night include onefor the best classic album and one for the photographer "whose work has captured and defined the very essence of rock 'n' roll".

A panel of contemporary artists have been asked to nominate their musical heroes to be inducted into a "hall of fame".

The event, which will be for a select 350 guests, will be by invitation only.

THE NOMINATIONS

Inspiration

Johnny Cash

David Bowie

The Smiths

Arthur Lee

The Clash

Songwriter

Sir Paul McCartney

Ray Davies

Nick Drake

Paul Weller

Elvis Costello

Icon

Morrissey

Kate Bush

David Bowie

Marvin Gaye

Prince