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Sabs Win AEG Ambassadors of Rock Award
Black Sabbath is “the birthplace of heavy metal” according to Rolling Stone Magazine. From 1970-1978 the band released eight studio albums, but it was their ground breaking second album, Paranoid, which placed in The Times “Top 100 albums of All Time,” that thrust the band into an International arena headlining act. The release of 13 in 2013 marked Sabbath's first studio album together since 1978 and reached No. 1 in the in the UK Album Chart, the first time since they have topped the UK charts since Paranoid in 1970. Black Sabbath was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and recently won their 2nd Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
After almost 44 years and 75 million albums sold worldwide the band continues to be as vital as ever. Black Sabbath is currently finishing up a 16 month sold-out world tour which concludes this summer when the band headlines Hyde Park for the very first time, the same stage that fellow rock legends The Rolling Stones presided over for two historic gigs last year.’
Ozzy Osbourne said: "Winning the Ambassadors of Rock award from Nordoff Robbins is a huge honour. Music is our life, and we couldn't live without it. The world can't survive without music and this is a very special charity that brings music to everyone. There are a lot of talented people already being honoured at the awards and we are looking forward to celebrating with them at the O2 Silver Clefs this summer."
Tom Miserendino, President & CEO, AEG Europe says: “We are extremely proud to be sponsoring this award which highlights the massive impact Black Sabbath has had on the music world. Starting in Birmingham and going on to conquer the world, the band really are great ambassadors for the music industry. We are equally excited about them taking over Hyde Park later the same evening following their triumphant return to live gigs last year.”
The Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards recognise outstanding talent across the industry, and are an opportunity for us to give something back to the music industry who support us so generously throughout the year." David Munns, Chairman, Nordoff Robbins Fundraising Committee
The annual Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards has been sponsored by O2 for the past ten years and is now the jewel in the Nordoff Robbins fundraising crown and the highlight of the UK music industry's calendar. Past award recipients have included U2, the Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osborne, Sir Paul McCartney, The Who, Coldplay and Kaiser Chiefs.
Back in 1976, Nordoff Robbins desperately needed support to meet its increasing financial challenges and keep the vital work of Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins going. Andrew Miller, a talented young concert promoter, got involved and created the Junior Fundraising Committee (of the Music Therapy Charity), which would eventually become the charity Nordoff Robbins.
Others from the music industry that came on board included Sam Alder (then Manager of Roxy Music), Dave Dee (record company executive and former pop star), Dee Dee Wilde (a dancer with Pan's People), Nancy Jarratt and brothers Peter and Willie Robertson. Their first great venture was to tap into the music industry by establishing a music industry awards with a focus on fundraising.
A date was set for 29th June 1976 at Park Lane's Inn On The Park. Twiggy was asked to present the award for outstanding contribution to music, and The Who were the very first recipients. 400 people attended and were extremely moved by Paul Nordoff (of Nordoff Robbins), who was seriously ill by this time, but was there to speak about the vital work being done. A tremendous £12,000 was raised on the day - twice as much as originally hoped for - which secured the immediate future of the Nordoff Robbins training programme.
Since 1976, the event has raised nearly £9 million for Nordoff Robbins. We are proud of this heritage and forever indebted to its founders and also the music industry for its ongoing and invaluable support.