Ivor Novello Awards 2019: Richard Ashcroft scoops outstanding contribution prize... after regaining rights to Bittersweet Symphony from The Rolling Stones
Richard Ashcroft was among the big winners at the Ivor Novello Awards 2019, which was held at London's Grosvenor House on Thursday.
The former The Verve front man, 47, happily posed with his prestigious gong after picking up the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.
It comes after he regained the rights to his hit 1997 track Bittersweet Symphony from Rolling Stones legends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, both 75.
Congratulations: Richard Ashcroft was among the big winners at the Ivor Novello Awards 2019, which was held at London's Grosvenor House on Thursday
Dressed in a plush red velvet jacket, blue jeans and dark sunglasses, Richard larked about in the winners room after scooping his prize.
The Music Is Power hitmaker triumphantly held up his award and pumped his fist in jubilation as he posed for waiting photographers.
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His glee was no doubt helped by the fact that he finally regained the rights to his most famous track over 20 years after its release, following a bitter lawsuit with the band.
Bittersweet Symphony, which Richard has branded a 'f***ing masterpiece', sampled The Rolling Stones’s song The Last Time, using a composition by record producer Andrew Oldham.
Finally: It comes after he regained the rights to his hit 1997 track Bittersweet Symphony from Rolling Stones legends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, both 75
Winner winner: The former The Verve front man, 47, happily posed with his prestigious gong after picking up the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music
But now, 20 decades on, the star has won back all his rights after Sir Mick and Keith handed them over.
All future royalties for the popular track will now go to Richard, with Mick and Keith having removed their names from the writing credits.
Speaking about the momentous event, Richard said in a statement: 'This remarkable and life affirming turn of events was made possible by a king and magnanimous gesture from Mick and Keith, who have also agreed that they are happy for the writing credit to exclude their names and all their royalties derived from the song they will now pass to me.
'I would like to thank the main players in this, my management Steve Kutner and John Kennedy, the Stones manager Joyce Smyth and Jody Klein (for actually taking the call) lastly a huge unreserved heartfelt thanks and respect to Mick and Keith. Music is power.'
Meanwhile, the rocker opened up about winning the Outstanding Contribution prize.
Dapper: Dressed in a plush red velvet jacket, blue jeans and dark sunglasses, Richard larked about in the winners room after scooping his prize
Triump: His glee was no doubt helped by the fact that he finally regained the rights to his most famous track over 20 years after its release, following a bitter lawsuit with the band
It's over: But now, 20 decades on, the star has won back all his rights after Sir Mick and Keith handed them over (pictured with Ronnie Woods (L) and Charlie Watts (R) in 2016)
Opening up to BANG Showbiz, he said: 'I thought it was worded a different way, I thought it was lifetime achievement, I said lifetime achievement? Give it another decade if I'm still around but yeah I'm honoured to be here, a great award, fantastic.'
The award is the second for Richard, having won for Songwriter of the Year in 1998.
Joking that his awards were now symmetrical, he added to the publication: 'I'll never forget being at The Ivors 20 years ago with my wife for 'Drugs Don't Work'. I put a hole in the original award trying to put a nail in - I'm sorry Ivors - but it is a weighty award.
'Don't know if you've ever held an Ivor. It's probably the most aesthetically pleasing and also weighty award I think out there so there's another reason to win one. I like symmetry as well so I've got two now so that's cool.'
Honoured: Meanwhile, pop diva Mariah Carey thanked the awards for her prize after being recognised for her songwriting talent
Other big winners on the night included rapper Wiley, 40, who was honoured with the The Ivors Inspiration Award.
The Wearing My Rolex singer accepted gave an emotional speech where he addressed his father, Richard Cowie Sr, who had presented him with the award.
Crediting his success to his father, Wiley, real name Richard Kylea Cowie Jr, said: 'I love him but I’ve been avoiding this moment for my whole life. My whole career. It’s because of him I do it. I came from him.
'I just want to say big up to everyone in my scene, the brothers and sisters. All the years we’ve done, the journey I’ve done. It’s all led to this day.'
Big talent: Other big winners on the night included rapper Wiley, 40, who was honoured with the The Ivors Inspiration Award
Touching: The Wearing My Rolex singer accepted gave an emotional speech where he addressed his father, Richard Cowie Sr, who had presented him with the award
He continued: 'Dad, thank you for the gift. It’s because of him that I do it, not just because of him. I’m going to big up my dad.'
Meanwhile, pop diva Mariah Carey thanked the awards for her prize after being recognised for her songwriting talent.
The We Belong Together hitmaker, 49, who was unable to attend the event, said in a pre-recorded message: 'I rarely get acknowledged for my songwriting, which is the core of who I am, so I thank you so much for this incredible, incredible honour.'
Chatting: Elsewhere, rapper Stormzy was spotted outside the awards
In conversation: The pair appeared to be having an animated chat in the midst of the event
Heading off: The duo were then seen making their way into the building following a short break
Also on the night, The 1975 won two prizes, Songwriters Of The Year and Best Contemporary Song for Love It If We Made It.
The Academy said of the band: 'All at once daring, vulnerable and recklessly honest, The 1975’s songwriting on ‘A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships’ stands out as a vivid picture of modernity.
These songs are a quintessential snapshot of the emotional complexities of life in the here and now, but with all the hallmarks of a body of work that will stand the test of time.'
Ivor Novello Awards 2019: WINNERS
Songwriters Of The Year
Richard Ashcroft won the Outstanding Contribution To British Music prize
The 1975
PRS For Music Outstanding Contribution To British Music
Richard Ashcroft
The Ivors Jazz Award
Django Bates
The PRS For Music Special International Award
Mariah Carey
The Ivors Inspiration Award
Wiley
Outstanding Song Collection
Dido
International Achievement
Deep Purple
Best Album
Mariah Carey scooped the The PRS For Music Special International Award
IDLES – ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance’
Best Original Film Score
Jonny Greenwood – Phantom Thread
Best Original Video Game Score
Robin Beanland – Sea Of Thieves
PRS For Most Performed Work
Julia Bunetta, Dan Caplen, Macklemore, John Ryan, and Jamie Scott – ‘These Days’
Best Television Soundtrack
Natasha Khan & Dominik Scherrer – Requiem
Best Song Musically and Lyrically
Ben Howard – ‘Nica Libres At Dusk’
Best Contemporary Song
The 1975 – ‘Love It If We Made It’
